Jonathon Palmer from LinkedIn and I spoke about creativity emerging as a serious competitive advantage in AI-driven business. Jonathon made a striking point: AI makes execution easier, so the advantage shifts to the human ability to originate ideas, reframe problems, and stay curious.

The discussion also challenged a common assumption in B2B ecosystems. Emotion carries more weight than logic in real decisions. People engage Brands that help people feel confident in their choice will stand out in a world shaped by AI abundance, endless options, and fast decisions.

We covered the changing landscape of work. A shift is underway from job title-based hiring to skills-based hiring. Jonathon shared LinkedIn data suggesting professionals entering work today will hold twice as many jobs as someone starting 15 years earlier. As AI adoption expands, careers adaptability and lifelong learning move from a nice-to-have to a baseline expectation.

A theme running through the conversation was shared responsibility. Creativity no longer sits in a single department. It becomes everyone’s work, supported by psychological safety, rigorous experimentation, and high standards.

This episode brings together creativity, emotional intelligence, confidence in brand decisions, skills-first careers, and the real tactics people can use to stay visible and employable as AI reshapes work and workplaces.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Creativity in Business

09:54 The New Marketing Landscape

20:05 The Evolution of Brand Identity

29:59 Adapting to the Future of Work

As 2025 ends, thanks to everyone who joined The AI Adoption Podcast. A recurring message is: AI adoption isn't a technology issue alone; it is a strategic transformation, leadership, and human challenge.

Regulation & Trust

• Regulation isn't the enemy of innovation Lord Tim Clement-Jones

• AI adoption only works at scale when regulation is coherent, trusted, and designed to enable innovation, not fight it Kate Jones

• Blindly adopting technology you don’t fully understand is dangerous Sunaina Aytan

• The danger is trying to legislate something you don’t fully understand Konrad Shek

• The UK’s light-touch approach supports innovation but risks leaving safety to those least equipped to manage it Dr Madeline Cheah (谢涵馨)

Leadership & Readiness

• Board members must think about productivity of their human workforce alongside their digital workforce Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE

• AI readiness depends on leadership, team culture, data and documented operations Andrew McNally

• AI tools are useless if not integrated into an effective business strategy Matthew Houlihan

• AI isn’t a tech problem: it’s a human problem ⚡ Ben Johnson

Work & Change

• You can optimise a process with AI, but you can't automate a relationship Neha Kabra

• People fear losing jobs, but many AI projects fail because companies ignore change management Heather Black

• The business case behind AI technology is human displacement Ian Smith

• Agentic workflows create space for humans to focus on meaningful, rewarding tasks Paul O'Sullivan

Data & Truth

• There’s no AI model that doesn’t hallucinate Hamzah Malik

• If our civilisation lets go of a notion of truth, we will be in fantasy land Lord Bishop Steven Croft

• We risk AI model integrity if we don’t protect human-created data Allison Gardner MP

• Everyone wants better AI outputs, no one wants to fund the inputs Alex Dalman

Adoption at Scale

• AI's transforming shipping, agriculture, and professional services, it’s happening now Marco Forgione MCIEx

• We spent £113m across the NHS, but pilots don’t always lead to adoption Alex Cole

• Some organisations are waiting to see what others do, the longer they wait, the further behind they get Jenna Shanks

• Whatever model you used last month is already outdated Nikolay Burlutskiy

Looking ahead

• We’re in the first wave of adoption. The next wave's transform businesses, then create new ones Lord Kulveer Ranger

• Managers need to manage agentic AI that’s in their team Sue Daley OBE

• If we can build machines that learn, adapt and act, we can learn to become more human Maggie Sarfo

• In an agentic economy, companies, not big tech, are in the driver’s seat Yves Bollinger

Thanks to guests, listeners, and colleagues at Brunel Business School and the Centre for AI Social and Digital Innovations Brunel University London, with special thanks to Vimal Dalal and Eliza Kania.

The conversation continues in 2026.

Wishing you joy at Christmas and every success in 2026.

Ashley

AI adoption often looks rational on paper while feeling human in practice. That insight sat at the centre of my conversation with Ian Smith from Baseline, and it informed the tone of our discussion.

Ian spoke about reaching a point in his career where technology no longer carried the whole story. Lived experience moved to the forefront. People bring anticipation, uncertainty, curiosity and concern to AI programmes. These emotions shape AI adoption as much as any technical roadmap.

Efficiency continues to matter, yet it arrives with consequences. Organisations gain speed and clarity, yet roles evolve, responsibilities shift, and expectations change. Vision sets direction, yet lived experiences determine whether progress becomes real or remains notional.

Ian shared his views around personal agency. AI now gives individuals the ability to build, learn and create with a freedom that previous technologies didn’t allow. AI systems offer new routes into capability development and new forms of contribution that feel empowering.

That momentum brings a parallel challenge. As personalised, agentic systems expand, boundaries around trust and control begin to stretch. Organisations face new questions about governance, oversight and responsibility when capability sits outside the structures that once shaped it.

Trust carries real weight in this moment. Trust in systems, trust in data, trust in human judgement. The balance between them influences decisions, interactions and outcomes. Automating trust remains far more complex than automating efficiency.

Ian finished by returning to something firmly human. Augmentation has always been part of the human story. The deeper fulfilment still comes from connection, shared presence and the moments that remind us we remain social beings even as digital intelligence becomes more present in our lives.

This episode offers a steady, balanced view of AI adoption. It acknowledges the trade-offs while recognising the possibilities, and it invites listeners to consider both with clarity and care.

Key messages

• The lived experience around technology is crucial for organisations.

• Leadership should focus on accountability and adoption, not just vision.

• AI adoption is as much about people as it is about systems.

• Trust and ethics are paramount in the deployment of AI.

• The consumer-centric approach is reshaping technology services.

• AI can empower individuals to customise their own solutions.

• There is a paradox in AI replacing human jobs while creating new opportunities.

• Human diversity must be preserved in the age of AI.

• Ethical governance is essential for AI systems.

• Maintaining human connection is vital in a technology-driven world.

Chapters

00:00 The Human Experience in Technology

03:03 Leadership and Accountability in Technology Adoption

05:37 The Paradox of AI and Human Displacement

08:43 Consumer-Centric Technology and Customisation

11:26 Trust, Ethics, and Governance in AI

14:17 The Future of Work and Individual Agency

16:52 Balancing Technology and Human Connection

21:14 Tacit Knowledge and AI

24:09 Governance and Shadow IT

27:50 Augmenting Knowledge

32:07 Retaining A Sense of Humanity

In this episode I speak with Paul O’Sullivan, SVP of Solution Engineering for the UKI and Chief Technology Officer for the UK, from Salesforce. Paul traces 75 years of AI development, from early machine intelligence ideas to the breakthroughs that brought us to today’s agentic AI era. Paul explains the shift from traditional workflows to digital workers operating alongside people. AI-enabled reasoning, automation and data-driven decisions now open space for employees to focus on meaningful tasks rather than repetitive activity.

Paul outlines the elements senior managers must consider when forming an AI strategy. These include ethics, workforce readiness, data quality, resilience and long-term sustainability. He stresses that many AI pilots collapse because they lose focus on business value or fail to carry teams with them.

Data chaos is common in many organisations and progress is possible by concentrating on workflows rather than attempting a huge enterprise-wide data project. Paul explores the dark side of AI, including malicious code, deepfakes, identity theft and large-scale misinformation. Boards need clear oversight and consistent guardrails.

Paul discusses the build–buy–hybrid debate. The rapid cycle of AI development, model updates and new controls means few organisations can produce everything alone. Choice of partners becomes critical.

We end the conversation with Paul’s view of near-term AI advances: robotics with touch-sensing algorithms, multimodal models, self-adjusting systems and strong growth in sectors such as logistics, healthcare and financial services. In two years from now, will the landscape be almost unrecognisable?

In this episode of The AI Adoption Podcast, I speak with Heather Black, CEO of Supermums. Heather created Supermums after realising that a flexible, well-paid career in tech was something many mothers could thrive in.

Heather explains why she focuses on this demographic. Women remain under-represented in tech, many struggle to return to work after raising children and the gender pay gap persists.

We discuss how jobs are changing due to AI. Heather argues that AI is creating new roles, not just replacing old ones, and shares examples of project managers, business analysts and technical specialists that are already working differently when they use AI tools effectively.

“Some roles will go. The question is whether we help people move into the roles that are coming.” Heather Black

Heather sets out changes to employers’ expectations in the workplace. Companies now look for candidates who can use AI to work more efficiently. She identifies fear as a factor that holds people back and suggests that community-based learning helps individuals overcome that fear and adapt more quickly.

We talk about change management, the importance of enthusiasm, engagement and empowerment and that good training must be designed around different learning styles.

We discuss the rise of AI agents, and what needs to happen for people and AI-technologies to work effectively together. Heather offers a policy perspective on ways in which government can help ensure people are not left behind as AI reshapes work.

Heather shares practical advice on future-proofing skills.

This is a grounded and encouraging conversation about skills, confidence and helping people embrace an uncertain future.

Chapters

00:00 Empowering Women in Tech

04:07 Adapting to Changing Job Landscapes

07:01 Upskilling for the Future

11:21 AI in the Workplace

14:42 The Importance of Change Management

18:21 Continuous Learning as a Core Competence

21:23 Learning Styles and Personal Responsibility

26:05 The Role of Leadership in AI Adoption

31:30 Government Policies for AI Workforce Development

In this episode of The AI Adoption Podcast, I speak with Neha Kabra from McKinsey about how AI is reshaping leadership, customer service, employees’ roles and the expectations placed on boards.

Neha explains why legacy leadership approaches are struggling. Many leadership skills remain the same, but the speed of decision making has changed. Early movers are already seeing returns, while others remain stuck in pilots that do not scale.

We look at the balance between AI, customer service, productivity and staffing. A European bank improved productivity and raised its customer satisfaction by eight points. Klarna cut 700 roles and relied on AI alone, but later reversed course when customers needed empathy that a chatbot could not provide.

Neha outlines three actions that help people and AI work together: clear role and responsibility boundaries, better trust and auditability, and training so teams feel confident using AI.

We discuss the impact on jobs, why some roles will change and why AI is likely to create long-term value. Neha also explains that many pilots fail because of weak data foundations, unclear organisational ambition and a tendency to build broad horizontal AI tools instead of vertical use cases. As she puts it, your AI deployment is “as good or dumb as the data that sits behind it”.

Neha talks about three types of AI organisations: AI first, human augmented and AI augmented. She sets out what boards should focus on and why they need to adjust their risk appetite when considering AI adoption.

We also cover the role of partnerships with organisations such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Cohere, AWS, Azure, Salesforce and ServiceNow.

Neha ends with advice for young people on how to future proof themselves by building AI foundations, human skills and a T-shaped profile. An important reminder that depth of knowledge and subject area expertise will continue to matter.

Chapters

00:00 The Impact of AI on Legacy Leadership

05:43 Customer Experience and AI Integration

08:47 Employee Engagement and AI Augmentation

11:46 Managing Human-AI Collaboration

14:24 Balancing Productivity and Innovation

17:16 Challenges in Scaling AI Pilots

20:02 Key Priorities for Boards in AI Adoption

22:45 The Role of Partnerships in AI Success

25:57 Future-Proofing Careers in an AI-Driven World

I recorded this episode with Andrew McNally, who has spent 35 years working across fund management, investment banking and advising family offices. Andrew has witnessed several major technological shifts, including the dot-com boom and bust, and I wanted to hear his view on how today’s AI wave compares.

Andrew spoke openly about the financial implications of foundational technologies. He explained why they trigger significant shifts in wealth and why markets often peak long before society feels the real impact of emergent technologies. In his view, today’s AI technologies are the equivalent of the old Sinclair ZX81 in terms of maturity. He argues there is still a very long way for AI developments to go.

We discussed why many organisations are not yet seeing economic value from AI. Andrew highlighted research suggesting that most companies have yet to achieve measurable benefits. This isn't because the technology is lacking, instead, organisations are not ready. He described AI readiness as a combination of leadership mindset, team culture, data organisation and documented operations.

We explored challenges in the UK funding landscape. Andrew raised concerns about the “valley of death” that UK scale-ups face. This is, in part, due to the longer-term decline in equity investment, the shrinking stock market, the lack of exit opportunities for early investors and the cultural shift away from risk taking. He reflected on the role of the British Business Bank, the Treasury and pension funds in shaping the future of UK capital formation for AI companies.

This is a candid conversation about what needs to change if the UK truly wants to be an AI maker rather than an AI taker. Andrew brings historical insight and financial realism to a debate that often focuses only on the technology.

Listen in if you want a grounded view of how AI adoption links to capital, culture and the long-term health of UK innovation.

Key messages

• Companies need to assess their AI readiness.

• The valley of death for startups is a significant challenge.

• UK capital markets lack large pools of risk capital.

• UK cultural shifts towards risk-taking are essential for growth.

• Creating pools of equity capital is necessary for supporting startups.

Chapters

00:00 AI and Financial Markets

02:45 Historical Context of Technological Shifts

05:53 Current State of AI Technology

09:06 AI Readiness in Organisations

12:07 Funding Mechanisms for AI Startups

15:09 Challenges in UK Capital Markets

18:02 Cultural Shifts in Risk-Taking

20:55 Role of the British Business Bank

24:02 Policy making and Capital Flow

26:47 Future of Financial Markets and AI

30:03 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this episode of the AI Adoption Podcast, I interviewed Marco Forgione, Director General of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade. Marco’s extensive experience and knowledge provides deep insights into the strategic use of AI in international trade. He argues that AI is fundamentally changing international trade and provides examples such as companies like Maersk that are using AI for predictive logistics to AI-enabled customs systems in Kenya. We discuss the challenges faced by businesses, particularly micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs), in adopting AI technologies and ways in which business leaders can address these challenges.

“AI is already transforming shipping, agriculture, and professional services, it’s not science fiction, it’s happening now.” Marco Forgione

One area that often receives little attention is the impact of AI on professional services that support international trade. Jobs and employment in these sectors will be affected, as processes are automated and simplified, with the emergence, for instance, of fully autonomous supply chains, autonomous vehicles, ports and digital customs operations. Our conversation explores the regulatory landscape and the role of government policy in facilitating AI adoption to enhance trade efficiency and economic growth. This raises the risk of the UK and the EU being left behind considering competition from the US and China. For many organisations trading internationally, the cost and skills gaps are holding them back and there is a need for the UK to ensure joined-up policy making.

Marco’s central point is clear: the technology is ready; what’s needed is leadership and political will.

Key messages

1. AI is not yet fully adopted in by the UK’s public and private sector engaged with international trade.

2. MSMEs face significant barriers to AI adoption and need tailored support.

3. Larger export trading businesses are leading in AI implementation.

4. AI can optimise supply chains in many different sectors and reduce costs.

5. Government assistance is required for MSME AI adoption.

6. Autonomous systems in shipping, ports, warehouses, and transportation are changing logistics and supply chain operations.

7. AI is rapidly transforming professional services that support international trade.

8. Interoperability between systems is important to enhance trade efficiency.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI in International Trade

02:43 Current State of AI Adoption in Trade

05:45 Challenges in Implementing AI

08:58 Empowering MSMEs in AI Adoption

11:39 Future of Autonomous Supply Chains

15:01 AI in Professional Services

19:55 Impact of AI on Employment

22:40 AI in the Creative Sector

26:00 Government Policy and AI

29:00 Supporting MSMEs for International Trade

In this episode of The AI Adoption Podcast, I speak with Kate Jones, CEO of the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF), which brings together four regulators: Ofcom, the ICO, the CMA and the FCA to work together on regulating online and digital services. We discuss the work does with the Regulatory Innovation Office, which is part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. DRCF’s influence extends internationally, as countries seek to learn from and emulate its best practices.

We explore what it means to build public trust in AI, how “principles-based” regulation can make compliance simpler, and how regulators are learning to collaborate like doctors working on one shared care plan for the digital economy.

We discussed:

• Why regulation and innovation are not opponents but partners

• How UK regulators support companies build compliance “by design”

• The concept of smart data and its potential to open new markets for SMEs

• What boards can learn from regulators about joining up compliance functions

Find out why Kate says: “if we get digital regulation wrong, the AI environment could end up dividing society rather than lifting it.”

Listen in to understand how regulation and innovation can work together to create a trusted, thriving AI ecosystem.

🎧 In this episode of The AI Adoption Podcast, I speak with Yves Bollinger, General Manager at Plan.Net Studios, part of the Serviceplan Group. We explore the fascinating intersection of AI and blockchain and how decentralised technologies such as the Masumi Protocol built on the Cardano blockchain can establish trust, identity and accountability between millions of AI agents.

We explore examples such as a team of AI travel agents planning a family trip entirely through autonomous negotiation, and how organisations can monetise their proprietary data by deploying agents in the Sokosumi marketplace. Yves discusses how these technologies could reduce reliance on big tech platforms and create a new, open and verifiable digital economy.

We discuss how businesses, large and small, can build or buy their own AI agents to monetise their data. This will improve productivity at the possible cost of fewer entry level jobs. We examine how leaders can prepare for a future in which agents collaborate, trade and take actions without human intervention, leading perhaps to an “agentic economy”.

Business Leaders and policy makers need to recognise that, as Yves says, “If we don’t find a way to integrate young people into the workforce, the expertise to oversee artificial intelligence will cease to exist.”

Listen to the full episode to hear how agentic AI is transforming trust, commerce, and the very structure of online ecosystems.

Key Messages

• Blockchain is a decentralised ledger that ensures data integrity.

• AI agents require a reliable identification system.

• The Masumi protocol facilitates agent interactions on the blockchain.

• Companies can leverage their data by creating their own AI agents.

• AI agents combined with blockchain technology will change the way businesses interact with customers.

• Small businesses can utilise agentic workers for efficiency.

• Customisation of AI agents is essential for specific business needs.

• The job market will shift due to the rise of AI agents.

• Society must rethink taxation in light of reduced workforce participation.

• AI and blockchain technologies are already impacting our lives today.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI and Blockchain

03:05 Understanding Blockchain Technology

06:05 The Connection Between AI and Blockchain

09:09 The Mazumi Protocol Explained

12:12 Recent Developments in AI Agents

15:04 Adopting AI Technologies in Organisations

17:56 Utilising AI Agents for Small and Medium Businesses

20:54 Customisation of AI Agents for Businesses

23:50 Impact of AI on Job Markets

26:50 Future of AI and Society

In this episode of the AI Adoption Podcast, Alex Dalman from VCCP’s Faith and I discuss the transformative role of combining human ingenuity with AI in the advertising and marketing industry. We explore how AI tools enhance creativity, the ethical implications of AI usage, and innovative campaigns like O2’s 'Daisy vs. Scammers'. Alex explains Generative Engine Optimization, which is the new frontier after SEO. The conversation addresses the challenges and responsibilities that come with AI adoption, emphasising the importance of training data and ethical practices in leveraging AI for good.

👉 Listen now for a refreshing and practical perspective on AI in marketing that blends innovation with responsibility.

Key messages

• AI is not replacing humans yet; it's a tool to enhance creativity.

• The combination of human creativity and AI is powerful.

• Creativity remains subjective and hard to define, but AI can assist.

• Innovative campaigns like Daisy vs. Scammers showcase AI's positive potential.

• Ethics and responsibility are crucial in AI development.

• The bar for creativity is higher with AI tools available.

• AI can influence consumer behaviour, raising ethical concerns.

• Training data is essential for effective AI implementation.

• There is a tension between creativity and AI-generated content.

• GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the new frontier for brands.

Chapters

00:00 AI in Advertising

02:59 The Role of AI in Creative Processes

05:48 Innovative AI Campaigns: Daisy vs. Scammers

08:32 AI Tools and Their Impact on Creativity

11:46 Ethics and Responsibility in AI Usage

14:54 The Future of AI in Marketing

17:39 The Dark Side of AI

20:26 Ensuring Ethical and Responsible AI Development

23:39 The Importance of Training Data

26:27 The Tension Between Creativity and AI

29:16 Advice for Incorporating AI in Marketing

In this episode of the AI Adoption Podcast, Jenna Shanks from NICE and I talk about the transformative impact of AI on customer experience and operational efficiency. She shares insights on how AI is being integrated across various industries, the cultural shifts required for successful adoption, and the importance of knowledge management. Jenna emphasises the need for organisations to embrace AI to remain competitive and highlights the skills necessary for individuals to thrive in an AI-driven world.

Listen to find out why Jenna says: “What worked in the past isn’t necessarily going to work in the future and organisations that fear change risk being overtaken by their competitors.”

Key Messages

• AI can enhance customer interactions and build loyalty.

• AI can significantly improve operational efficiency and accuracy.

• Cultural shifts are essential for successful AI adoption.

• Resistance to AI often stems from fear of job loss.

• AI will not replace humans but will replace those not using it.

• Management of knowledge essential for effective AI adoption.

• Organisations must start small and build credibility with AI.

• The future of work will involve new roles created by AI diffusion.

• Continuous learning and adaptability are key in the AI era.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Agentic AI and NICE

03:00 The Role of AI in Enhancing Customer Experience

06:01 AI Implementation Across Industries

08:48 Cultural Shifts in Organisations Due to AI

12:08 Addressing Resistance to AI Adoption

14:55 Strategic Changes in Business Models with AI

17:54 The Importance of Knowledge Management for AI

AI adoption isn’t just for big companies. For the millions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, AI could be a lifeline or a threat.

In this episode of the AI Adoption Podcast, Baroness Martha Lane Fox and I discuss the impact of AI on SMEs. Martha is a cross-bench member of the House of Lords, President of the British Chamber of Commerce, is on the boards of various companies and runs her own small business.

She highlights the challenges SMEs face in adopting AI, including resource constraints and the need for better data management. Our conversation explores the role of government in supporting SMEs, the importance of effective AI usage, and the potential for productivity gains. Additionally, we address the implications of AI on job disruption and the necessity for clear regulatory frameworks. The British Chambers of Commerce's initiatives to assist SMEs in adopting AI are also discussed.

Here’s the clarion call: “It’s a dereliction of duty if SME leaders aren’t engrossed in AI.” Baroness Martha Lane Fox

Key messages

• AI is transforming the economy especially for SMEs.

• SMEs often lack the resources to invest in AI.

• AI can serve as a “great equaliser” for SMEs.

• Data management is crucial for effective AI use.

• Government should provide clear direction without over regulation.

• Many SMEs are not using AI effectively despite its potential.

• SME leaders must actively engage with AI technologies.

• Small businesses can benefit significantly from AI tools.

• SMEs must avoid the risks of superficial adoption vs. embedding AI into strategy.

• The British Chamber of Commerce is launching initiatives to support AI adoption in SMEs.

• The changing world of work: productivity boosts, job disruption, and the challenge of building senior talent when entry-level roles are automated.

🎙️ Listen now to explore what AI adoption really means for SMEs and why leaders must “get playing with the stuff.”

Chapters

00:00 AI and SMEs

02:01 The Impact of AI on SMEs

05:40 Government's Role in SME AI Adoption

07:51 Building SME AI Ecosystems

10:24 Challenges for Micro and Small Businesses

13:55 Infrastructure and Skills for AI

16:39 Medium-Sized Businesses and AI

18:41 AI's Role in Improving Productivity

20:49 Job Disruption and AI

22:56 Dealing with AI's Rapid Changes

26:08 Regulatory Concerns for AI Adoption

27:47 Support from the British Chamber of Commerce

In this episode of the AI Adoption Podcast, I am delighted to speak with Raghava Krishna, Technology Director for Digital and AI at the AA. This conversation brings together two key themes: the promise of AI in services organisations and the practical challenges of AI adoption in a complex, distributed organisation. The AA is one of the UK’s most trusted brands and integrity is critically important when implementing digital transformation and artificial intelligence. He highlights the importance of leveraging historical data to implement customer-centric AI solutions. Raghava explains how the AA established governance principles and guardrails for AI initiatives. He emphasises the need for training and education within the organisation, at all levels, to prepare for the rapid evolution of AI technology and striking a balance between innovation and trust.

“AI is not just another technology. Every employee, from leadership to front line, must understand what it can and cannot do.” Raghava Krishna

Key Messages

1. The AA has a rich history of 120 years, evolving from roadside assistance to a comprehensive service provider.

2. Digital transformation is crucial for the AA, with a focus on expanding services through online and mobile channels.

3. Artificial intelligence is being implemented to enhance customer experience and provide predictive maintenance solutions.

4. Leveraging historical data is essential for making informed AI decisions and improving service delivery.

5. A customer-centric approach is fundamental in identifying AI use cases that enhance member experience.

6. Establishing governance and coordination is key to managing AI initiatives across different business units.

7. Balancing innovation with trust is vital for maintaining customer confidence in AI solutions.

8. How AI and IoT could enable predictive roadside support, such as alerting members before their battery fails.

9. Guardrails are being developed to ensure responsible AI deployment and compliance with data privacy.

10. Training and education on AI are necessary for all employees to foster a culture of innovation.

11. Organisations should start small with AI initiatives to adapt to the rapidly changing technology landscape.

Chapters

00:00 The AA's Digital Journey

02:47 AI Implementation and Predictive Maintenance

06:00 Leveraging Historical Data for AI

09:00 AI in a Distributed Organisation

12:03 Balancing Innovation and Trust in AI

14:40 Establishing Guardrails for AI Deployment

17:43 Monitoring and Enforcing AI Guardrails

20:35 Future of AI and Organisational Readiness

23:48 Training and Educating for AI Adoption

26:44 Rapid Changes in AI Technology

In this episode of The AI Adoption Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Matt Houlihan, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Cisco Europe.

Matt brings a wealth of experience from both government and the private sector, and together we explored what it truly means for organisations to be AI ready. Cisco’s AI Readiness Index provides fascinating, and at times sobering, insights: while 98% of companies see the urgency of AI adoption, only 13% consider themselves fully ready.

Listen to find out why Matt says: “there’s a huge gap between the excitement about AI and organisations’ actual readiness to make a success of it.”

We discussed:

• The five pillars of AI readiness, which are strategy, infrastructure, data, governance, and culture/talent.

• Why the UK’s productivity challenge makes tech adoption a national priority.

• The dual role of AI in cybersecurity both as a threat and as a defence.

• The importance of trust and responsible AI principles and how Cisco embeds them into practice.

• The future of jobs, in particular, the transformation in ICT, rising demand for AI skills, and the vital role of training and digital skills.

Key messages

• AI readiness is crucial for successful adoption.

• Leadership plays a significant role in AI readiness.

• Data management is essential for effective AI use.

• Cybersecurity concerns can hinder AI adoption.

• Trust in AI systems is vital for organisations.

• Regulation can coexist with innovation in AI.

• AI is transforming job roles and productivity.

• Digital skills training is necessary for workforce adaptation.

• Cisco aims to train 25 million people in digital skills by 2030.

• Demand for AI skills in job postings has surged.

00:00 Introduction to AI Adoption and Cisco's Role

04:22 Understanding AI Readiness and Its Importance

10:04 Key Factors of AI Readiness

13:22 The Role of Data in AI Adoption

16:34 AI and Cybersecurity: A Double-Edged Sword

21:16 Building Trust in AI Systems

25:52 Ensuring Principles are Lived in Organisations

28:05 Navigating Regulation and Innovation in AI

34:15 The Impact of AI on Jobs and Skills

Sue Daley OBE, Director of Technology and Innovation at Tech UK is my guest for this episode of The AI Adoption Podcast. We discuss the current state of the UK tech sector, particularly focusing on AI adoption and its implications for businesses and the economy. The conversation covers the role of AI in the UK’s Industrial Strategy, the challenges faced by SMEs in adopting AI, and the importance of government, university and industry collaboration to support AI initiatives. Sue emphasises the need for education, awareness, and the integration of AI into everyday business tools and processes to facilitate adoption. The discussion also focuses on the future of work and the evolving landscape of jobs as agentic AI is rolled out into many organisations.

Sue shares powerful insights on:

• Why the UK ranks third globally in AI behind the US and China.

• How AI adoption, not just innovation, drives value across every sector.

• The challenge of bringing SMEs into the AI journey.

• Why scaling pilots into real-world deployments is the next frontier.

Listen now to understand how AI adoption is reshaping business, skills, and the future of work in the UK.

Key messages

• AI is a transformative technology that is itself rapidly evolving.

• The UK is third in the world for AI development and adoption.

• AI is integral to the UK's Industrial Strategy and economic growth.

• Adoption of AI requires a narrative that resonates with businesses.

• SMEs need support and education to adopt AI effectively.

• AI is becoming embedded in everyday processes, tools and services.

• Government, university and industry collaboration is crucial for AI adoption.

• Training and upskilling the workforce is essential for AI integration.

• Peer-to-peer learning can help SMEs understand AI benefits.

• The future of work will involve AI augmenting human roles.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI Adoption and Tech UK

02:48 Impact of the UK's Industrial Strategy on the UK Tech Sector

05:58 Moving from AI Plans to AI Adoption

08:54 Key Developments for AI Adoption

12:00 Small Language Models

14:51 Coping with Rapid Changes in AI Technology

17:55 Supporting SMEs in AI Adoption

20:51 Government and Policy Support for AI

23:49 The Role of Tech Companies in AI Adoption

26:34 Impact of AI on Jobs and Workforce

29:27 AI and the Future of Work

In this episode of the AI Adoption Podcast, Sean Betts, Chief AI and Innovation Officer at Omnicom Media Group, and I discuss the transformative impact of generative AI on marketing and advertising. Sean shares how generative and agentic AI are reshaping the industry, from producing campaign content to designing synthetic research panels that simulate consumer behaviour. He highlights the rapid advancements in creative applications, the importance of building future capabilities, and the challenges of ensuring responsible AI adoption. The conversation examines the emerging capabilities of using synthetic data, the evolution of agentic AI, and the potential societal and business model disruptions that may arise as AI technologies continue to advance.

“We’re seeing early agents now … they may handle a week’s work in an hour.” Sean Betts

🔎 What you’ll learn:

• How Generative AI is rapidly changing the advertising landscape.

• Why creative applications of AI are being widely adopted.

• Efficiency and automation are key benefits of AI in business.

• Why building capabilities around AI is essential for future success.

• Synthetic data can enhance consumer research significantly.

• Validation of synthetic data is crucial for accuracy.

• Agentic AI represents a new frontier in AI capabilities.

• How AI agents are evolving to perform more complex tasks.

• Bias in AI decision-making poses significant risks.

• Why incumbent businesses may struggle to adapt to rapid AI technological changes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI in Advertising

01:10 Impact of Generative AI on Creativity

03:53 Efficiency and Automation in Business Processes

06:10 Emerging Capabilities of AI

10:10 Synthetic Data and Consumer Research

12:56 The Role of AI Agents

19:34 Guardrails for AI Implementation

22:41 Future of Agentic AI

25:54 Societal Implications of AI

30:47 Business Model Disruption by AI

Join me, Professor Ashley Braganza, and AI expert Dr Nikolay Burlutskiy as we explore the rise of AI agents, the power of synthetic data and what organisations must do to adopt AI responsibly.

According to Nikolay, “Synthetic data proved better than real-world datasets in our trials at Astra Zeneca.”

What you’ll learn:

• Why 2024 was GenAI and 2025 is firmly the year of AI agents

• How to set internal benchmarks and assess performance, cost and AI vulnerabilities

• Best practice: start small, integrate agents securely, then scale

• Use cases: from AI-generated pathology reports saving lives to automating knowledge retrieval across enterprise systems

• Why synthetic data can outperform real data thus boosting AI model accuracy

• The importance of upskilling your workforce in problem-solving, literacy, and keeping humans in the loop

Key messages:

• AI platforms can be simplified by consolidating multiple solutions into one.

• Cost control is essential when adopting generative AI solutions.

• Companies should establish internal benchmarks for AI model performance.

• AI agents are becoming integral to business processes.

• Upskilling the workforce is crucial for successful AI integration.

• AI can significantly reduce waiting times using healthcare diagnostics.

• The future of work will involve a collaboration between humans and AI agents.

• AI has the potential to create new job opportunities while transforming existing roles.

Find out why Nikolay thinks: “AI agents will change the way we work… but they must be integrated carefully, with human oversight.” Dr Nikolay Burlutskiy

Listen now discover how to harness GenAI, AI agents and synthetic data in your organisation.

Chapters

00:00 Early AI robot developments

04:08 Simplifying AI Platform Creation

09:59 Choosing the Right AI Models

14:57 Incorporating AI Agents into Workflows

20:07 The Impact of AI on Workforce Dynamics

25:00 Use Cases of AI in Healthcare and Business

30:04 The Role of Synthetic Data in AI Development

When machines are learning, evolving, making and enacting decisions on their own, what should you do?

In this episode of The AI Adoption Podcast, I speak with Maggie Sarfo, CEO of Meres Consult, about why human emotional intelligence (EI) is the essential counterweight to machine artificial intelligence (AI) in today’s workplaces. Maggie says that leaders can navigate this shift with clarity, empathy, and adaptability.

🔍 Key topics explored:

• How emotional intelligence and AI can collaborate not compete

• Soft skills are becoming core leadership strengths in an AI workplace

• The importance of recognising and addressing fear, uncertainty and intergenerational divides that arises with AI adoption

• Maggie’s Meres Adaptability Framework for managing extreme change

🗣 “If we can develop machines that act on their own, we can also develop ourselves to be even more human.” Maggie Sarfo

This conversation is a must-listen for leaders developing and adopting an AI strategy, team wellbeing, and long-term organisational resilience.

Key messages

• Emotional intelligence (EI) is crucial for effective leadership.

• AI and EI can complement each other in organisational settings.

• Human-AI collaboration is essential for optimal workflows.

• Organisations can retain EI by embedding it in AI strategies.

• Leaders must address fear and uncertainty regarding AI.

• New roles, such as AI trainers and explainers, are emerging.

• The Meres Adaptability Framework helps organisations navigate change.

• Workshops on EI should accompany AI adoption training.

• Leaders need to support their teams through AI transitions.

• Emotional intelligence should be prioritised in decision-making processes.

Chapters

00:00 AI and Emotional Intelligence

02:58 The Intersection of AI and Emotional Intelligence

05:50 Human-AI Collaboration in Workflows

08:56 Retaining Emotional Intelligence in AI Adoption

12:09 The Role of Leaders in an AI World

14:54 Addressing Fear and Uncertainty in AI

18:05 Emerging Roles in the Age of AI

20:54 Supporting Teams Through AI Transition

24:02 The Meres Adaptability Framework

27:03 Bringing It All Together: AI, Leadership, and Emotional Intelligence

💡 In this wide-ranging conversation, Lord Kulveer Ranger draws on decades of experience across technology, transport, and policy to unpack how AI must be embedded into business thinking and strategic action. He says AI is more than standalone tech tools, it is a catalyst for transformation.

🚀 Topics explored in this episode:

• Why change management is central to AI success

• UK start ups are being “hoovered up” by overseas investors

• The real skill sets businesses need to drive AI adoption and many are non-technical

• Lessons from past tech waves and how to apply them to AI adoption

• Why culture, not just code, will determine an organisation’s AI maturity

🗣️ "You have to have those people who are also going to be the business change leaders for AI. The ones who understand which outcomes you want to drive through your business." Lord Kulveer Ranger

🔎 Lord Ranger also discusses the UK’s critical need to:

• Retain and scale homegrown innovation

• Build an investment pipeline that keeps businesses sovereign

• Rethink operating models to align strategy, culture, and technology

🎙 Whether you’re a policymaker, business leader, or technologist, this episode offers strategic clarity on what enables AI to succeed in organisations and across the UK economy.

Chapters

00:00 Looking back to go forward

07:10 Lessons from Previous Technology Waves

12:28 Change Management and AI Adoption

16:32 Impact of AI on Business Models and Culture

24:09 Supporting Start ups and Scale-ups in the UK

30:45 Strategic Priorities for AI Adoption