Unleashing the power of applied AI and navigating the roadmap to next-generation innovation
Guest blog from Giles Colborne at Sopra Steria Next as part of our #UnleashInnovation campaign week 2024.
Few technological developments have sparked as much excitement and anticipation as the rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). It’s set to change every aspect of our lives; revolutionising industries, reshaping business models and enhancing the way we live. Yet, amidst the hype, lies a pressing question: How do we harness the transformative power of AI to create meaningful and sustainable value for both people and businesses?
At the forefront of exploring this question is Sopra Steria Next's GenAI research initiative. Our recent findings shed light on the profound impact that GenAI is poised to have on various facets of our society and economy. From redefining business strategies to navigating ethical considerations, the journey towards unlocking the full potential of AI is multifaceted and dynamic.
Understanding the Landscape of AI
AI encompasses a spectrum of technologies, including Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and most notably GenAI. These enable systems to perform tasks that traditionally required human intelligence, such as natural language processing, pattern recognition, and decision-making.
GenAI refers to a class of AI which has been the real focus in the news over the past 12-18 months. It's probably most familiar in the text-based use cases where software can create original content, anything from a chatbot response or a conversation to an essay with illustrations, and even video with a soundtrack. The real breakthrough is that this content is starting to resemble human created content.
Navigating the Hype
Amidst the fervor surrounding AI, it's essential to maintain a sense of perspective. While the potential for transformative impact is undeniable, it's vital to temper expectations and adopt a measured approach and not give into the pressure of AI adoption.
But the hype is real, and for good reason.
According to Forbes magazine, ChatGPT is the fastest growing internet app of all time. In just two months it amassed an estimated 100 million monthly users, compared to say Facebook who took four and a half years to hit 100 million users.
We're seeing some companies that are recognising true gains but there’s a lot to still be realised with the prediction that GenAI will reach the plateau of productivity, where we see mainstream adoption and real business gains that can be quantified in the next two to five years. Some markets and sectors will move faster than others, and now is a good time to take a breath and really think about the implications. Organisations must exercise caution, conduct thorough assessments, and align AI initiatives with overarching business objectives to understand where it can truly add value.
The Roadmap to GenAI Adoption
Planning and taking concrete action to take advantage of AI now can have a lasting impact. You need to:
Avoid the frenzy by understanding AI and having a grounded strategy to ensure you drive the right value for your organisation.
Build the right foundations for AI that enable the successful adoption of AI, by improving your organisations data, and considering policy, ethics and values in relation to AI.
Driving the right focus to find meaningful change and benefits by considering customer and employee experiences, workforce strategy and target operating models.
The journey towards GenAI adoption is not without its challenges. Traditionally with tech adoption you warm people up, give them some training, introduce the technology and they use it. With GenAI we won’t be able to operate like that and organisations will need to fundamentally shift the road map on its head. There will be resistance to the use of GenAI which usually stems from a lack of knowledge, people being worried about what it might do for jobs or organisation, or people being worried about the ethical, moral or legal side of it.
In our latest Digital Ethics Outlook 52% of respondents were concerned about future job losses with the figure rising in younger respondents, and 55% were concerned that it isn’t fully understood by anyone.
As AI has moved on from being able to manufacture something quickly to automate a process, GenAI can write a strategy for an organisation. But this doesn’t mean you don’t need a head of strategy, it just means you employ them in a different way, and this is key to the road map for organisations.
To get the transformational shift you need, you must shift the culture, build trust and buy in early before introducing the technology to overcome barriers. Organisations will also need to build in agility as with the introduction of AI people may need to shift and adapt to what they’re doing very quickly.
Looking Ahead: Embracing the Future of Applied AI
AI is the future, but AI can feel overwhelming. As we navigate the roadmap to next-generation innovation, one thing is clear: the journey towards realising the full potential of AI is multifaceted.
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techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.
#UnleashInnovation – techUK's Technology and Innovation programme is excited to host its flagship innovation campaign week, taking place from 23–27 June 2025, as part of the Unleashing Innovation initiative.
This paper summarises the main findings of a six-month sprint campaign and suggests where UK Government should focus next if the UK is to lead on these technologies.
TechUK explores how the UK can leverage its innovation and investment strengths to boost productivity and drive sustainable growth—read on to learn more.
This features 8 future tech trends, case studies, and recommendations for Government to make future leadership in gaming and Esports technologies a reality.
techUK's sprint campaigns explore how emerging and transformative technologies are developed, applied and commercialised across the UK's innovation ecosystem.
Activity includes workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and flagship reports (setting out recommendations for Government and industry).
Each campaign runs for 4-6 months and features regular collaborations with programmes across techUK.
techUK's latest sprint campaign is on Robotics & Automation technologies. Find out how to get involved by clicking here.
Running from September to December 2023, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies, bring more non-space companies into the sector, and ultimately realise the benefits of the New Space Economy.
These technologies include AI, quantum, lasers, robotics & automation, advanced propulsion and materials, and semiconductors.
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report. The report, containing member case studies and policy recommendations, was launched in March 2024 at Satellite Applications Catapult's Harwell campus.
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's ongoing work in this area.
This webinar explored the space industry of tomorrow and panellists spoke about what steps the UK can take to become a superpower across a broad spectrum of emerging and transformative space technologies.
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK
Rory Daniels
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's Emerging Technology and Innovation activity, working with many of the UK's most innovative tech companies to convene key stakeholders, work through key challenges and opportunities for industry, showcase best practice, and shape Government's thinking around future technologies, sectors and industries.
Focus areas include Robotics, Immersive, Web3, Metaverse, Photonics, Space, Gaming, Creative, Innovation policy, university spin-outs, and Futures & Horizon Scanning.
Running from January to May 2024, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of the technologies set to underpin the Gaming & Esports sector of the future.
These include AI, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, haptics, cloud & edge computing, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity (5/6G).
Activity took the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations was launched at The National Videogame Museum in November 2024.
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
This features 8 future tech trends, case studies, and recommendations for Government to make future leadership in gaming and Esports technologies a reality.
This webinar explored the gaming industry of tomorrow and asked what steps businesses can take to lead in the development, commercialisation, application and adoption of the key emerging technologies that will underpin it.
This webinar explored the key technologies behind the future of Esports in the UK and asked what more the UK can do to lead on their development and application.
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK
Rory Daniels
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's Emerging Technology and Innovation activity, working with many of the UK's most innovative tech companies to convene key stakeholders, work through key challenges and opportunities for industry, showcase best practice, and shape Government's thinking around future technologies, sectors and industries.
Focus areas include Robotics, Immersive, Web3, Metaverse, Photonics, Space, Gaming, Creative, Innovation policy, university spin-outs, and Futures & Horizon Scanning.
Running from July to December 2024, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of web3 and immersive technologies.
These include blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, spatial computing, haptics and holograms.
Activity took the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report (to be launched in 2025).
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
This features 8 future tech trends, case studies, and recommendations for Government to make future leadership in gaming and Esports technologies a reality.
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK
Rory Daniels
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's Emerging Technology and Innovation activity, working with many of the UK's most innovative tech companies to convene key stakeholders, work through key challenges and opportunities for industry, showcase best practice, and shape Government's thinking around future technologies, sectors and industries.
Focus areas include Robotics, Immersive, Web3, Metaverse, Photonics, Space, Gaming, Creative, Innovation policy, university spin-outs, and Futures & Horizon Scanning.
Running from February to June 2025, this sprint campaign is exploring how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of robotic & automation technologies.
These include autonomous vehicles, drones, humanoids, and applications across industry & manufacturing, defence, transport & mobility, logistics, and more.
Activity is taking the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report (to be launched in Q4 2025).
Get in touch below to get involved or find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
AI and automation are no longer futuristic concepts; they are transforming industries today, redefining efficiency, and reshaping how businesses operate.
In today's business landscape, the adoption of AI has become a given, but productive applications of generative artificial intelligence (AI) are less exciting than the hype suggests.
The modern NHS doesn’t just need better analytics — it needs smarter systems. Systems that reduce manual effort guide decision-making and ensure every insight is secure, explainable, and auditable.
As robotics continue to transform industries—from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and smart cities—one of the key challenges remains interoperability.
The financial sector is increasingly recognising the need for AI systems that combine the power of Large Language Models with the precision and accountability of deterministic systems.
Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Computer Vision (CV) are no longer emerging technologies on the horizon—they’re already shaping the way UK industries function and compete.
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK
Rory Daniels
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's Emerging Technology and Innovation activity, working with many of the UK's most innovative tech companies to convene key stakeholders, work through key challenges and opportunities for industry, showcase best practice, and shape Government's thinking around future technologies, sectors and industries.
Focus areas include Robotics, Immersive, Web3, Metaverse, Photonics, Space, Gaming, Creative, Innovation policy, university spin-outs, and Futures & Horizon Scanning.
Our annual Campaign Weeks enable techUK members to explore how the UK can lead on the development and application of emerging and transformative technologies.
Members do this by contributing blogs or vlogs, speaking at events, and highlighting examples of best practice within the UK's tech sector.
#UnleashInnovation – techUK's Technology and Innovation programme is excited to host its flagship innovation campaign week, taking place from 23–27 June 2025, as part of the Unleashing Innovation initiative.
#UnleashInnovation - techUK's Technology and Innovation programme is excited to host its innovation campaign week, as part of the Unleashing Innovation campaign, from 13-17 May.
#SuperchargeUKTech - techUK's Technology and Innovation programme is excited to have hosted its innovation campaign week, as part of the Supercharging Innovation campaign, between 18-22 September.
Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities across Technology and Innovation.
Laura Foster
Associate Director - Technology and Innovation, techUK
Laura Foster
Associate Director - Technology and Innovation, techUK
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK
Rory Daniels
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's Emerging Technology and Innovation activity, working with many of the UK's most innovative tech companies to convene key stakeholders, work through key challenges and opportunities for industry, showcase best practice, and shape Government's thinking around future technologies, sectors and industries.
Focus areas include Robotics, Immersive, Web3, Metaverse, Photonics, Space, Gaming, Creative, Innovation policy, university spin-outs, and Futures & Horizon Scanning.
Programme Manager - Digital Ethics and AI Safety, techUK
Tess Buckley
Programme Manager - Digital Ethics and AI Safety, techUK
A digital ethicist and musician, Tess holds a MA in AI and Philosophy, specialising in ableism in biotechnologies. Their professional journey includes working as an AI Ethics Analyst with a dataset on corporate digital responsibility, followed by supporting the development of a specialised model for sustainability disclosure requests. Currently at techUK as programme manager in digital ethics and AI safety, Tess focuses on demystifying and operationalising ethics through assurance mechanisms and standards. Their primary research interests encompass AI music systems, AI fluency, and technology created by and for differently abled individuals. Their overarching goal is to apply philosophical principles to make emerging technologies both explainable and ethical.
Outside of work Tess enjoys kickboxing, ballet, crochet and jazz music.
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
He leads techUK’s AI Adoption programme, supporting members of all sizes and sectors in adopting AI at scale. His work involves identifying barriers to adoption, exploring solutions, and helping to unlock AI’s transformative potential, particularly its benefits for people, the economy, society, and the planet. He is also committed to advancing the UK’s AI sector and ensuring the UK remains a global leader in AI by working closely with techUK members, the UK Government, regulators, and devolved and local authorities.
Since joining techUK, Usman has delivered a regular drumbeat of activity to engage members and advance techUK's AI programme. This has included two campaign weeks, the creation of the AI Adoption Hub (now the AI Hub), the AI Leader's Event Series, the Putting AI into Action webinar series and the Industrial AI sprint campaign.
Before joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, regulatory and government/public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales, marketing, and FinTech.
Usman holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a GDL and LLB from BPP Law School, and a BA from Queen Mary University of London.
When he isn’t working, Usman enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also has a keen interest in running, reading and travelling.
At last month’s Police Digital Summit in the UK, a panel of police, tech specialists and criminal justice stakeholders discussed how technology could help to meet the challenges of rape and serious sexual offences, and violence against women and girls; techUK’s Georgie Henley, who chaired the panel, highlights some of the key points from the discussion, and the collaborative approaches that can ensure improved responses in the future.
Join us to hear The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, this year’s keynote speaker at Building the Smarter State Conference!