The Space Race was a defining time of the twentieth century, when the US and the Soviet Union fought in a heated battle to lead in space exploration.
The contest was fierce, underpinned by technological innovation to reach new heights and achieve the ultimate success.
Today, a new battle is underway. The competition is rife, the noise is overpowering and those who don’t get on board this ship stand to face extinction.
Welcome to the Age of AI
In the last few years innovations in AI have accelerated at a pace no technology has ever seen previously.
While advancements in mobile, cloud computing and digital transformation span over decades, advancements in AI happen daily.
Organisations are turning to AI to support call centres and customer service functions, to enhance market and data analysis and to automate their processes, boosting revenue streams and growth.
According to recent data from McKinsey, more than three-quarters of organisations now say they use AI in at least one business function. The research firm also predicts that AI could increase corporate profits by $4.4 trillion every year.
With earning potential like this, no organisation can afford to overlook AI.
Organisations that fail to adopt will undoubtedly fail, while those that thrive will be the ones taking advantage of AI to boost their competitive edge, better serve their customers and deliver more efficient services.
This is also one of the key drivers behind Keir Starmer’s recent announcement to turbocharge AI development in the UK. With plans to turn the UK into an AI Superpower, Sir Keir unveiled the adoption of the technology will improve living standards, alleviate repetitive tasks carried out by the public sector, transform the lives of working people and boost the overall economy by billions.
Practical AI
With large organisations and governments rapidly turning to AI to enhance their operations, all organisations must follow in their steps. But what should they consider before taking their AI projects from pilot to profit?
First, don’t get lost in the noise. The news is awash with stories around agentic AI, but AI does so much more than generate text. It can alleviate repetitive tasks, support decision making and enhance operational efficiency to get ahead of competition.
Many companies today are experimenting with AI by incorporating it into their existing workflows. However, the real competitive edge will belong to businesses that fully reinvent entire operating processes around AI, where AI isn’t just a tool or an add-on for automation but the core of all operations.
The ultimate goal is to become an AI-first organisation, to help drive value, support growth and turn good organisations into great ones.
At this year’s DTX Manchester, I will be hosting a keynote session around how to take AI from pilot to profit.
Join me on the Main Stage on Wednesday 2nd April at 2:05PM – 2:35PM, where I will discuss:
- Human-First AI: Distinguishing between AI-assisted and AI-first models, emphasising human augmentation, agentic teams and autonomy.
- Strategic Stepping Stones: Moving beyond the AI noise, outlining a practical, phased implementation approach—from AI agent pilots to prove value and drive measurable growth, to building an “AI OS”.
- Finding the “Unknown Unknowns”: Are we really addressing the exponential change and impact from AI? Uncover AI’s ability to reveal hidden insights and create a “once in a species” competitive advantage.
