Impact of AI:Explored

In this episode we sit down with Matt Neil - Founder @ Artificia1 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mnealaipro/) to talk about why AI isn’t really a tech project, but a business problem that most SMEs are still struggling to frame correctly. We dig into real‑world adoption stories, how to prove ROI with things like LLM leaderboards and management metrics, and why so many AI and agent projects are destined to be rolled back if they ignore fundamentals like training and change management. Along the way we get into Copilot, OpenAI/OpenClaw vs. Microsoft Scout, token costs, EU AI Act training requirements, and why “train the team and bring them on the journey” is still the most underrated AI strategy

Key  topics
* The importance of training and adoption in AI projects
* Challenges faced by SMEs in AI adoption
* ROI measurement and cost management in AI initiatives
* The role of leadership and mindset in AI success

resources
Matt Neil - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattneil/
Matt's Company - https://artificia1.com/
Open Claw Video - Stripe CTO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9wzs_QIyp0
Microsoft Copilot - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/copilot
Gartner AI Market Report - https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/strategic-predictions-for-2026
EU AI Act - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021PC0206

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In this interesting episode of Impact of AI: Explored, Gerjon and James talk with Rich  Gibbons  - Head of FinOps, GreenOps, and Microsoft Intelligence at Synyega (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-gibbons-microsoft-licensing/). Rich discusses Microsoft's new consumption-based AI licensing models, including CoPilot, CoWork, and Scout, and explores their implications for organizations. We delve into cost forecasting, management challenges, and strategic considerations for adopting AI at scale.

Key  topics
* Microsoft's shift to consumption-based AI licensing
* Implications of Co-Pilot, Co-Work, and Scout for organizations
* Cost forecasting and management challenges with AI
* Strategies for controlling AI-related expenses
* The impact of AI on enterprise software costs

Chapters
00:42 Introduction to Microsoft's New Licensing Model
03:24 Understanding Co-Pilot and Co-Work
06:04 The Shift to Consumption-Based Billing
08:40 Cost Implications for Organizations
11:24 Evaluating ROI and Financial Discussions
13:50 The Future of AI in Organizations
16:54 Managing Costs and User Quotas
22:04 Navigating Credit Usage and Cost Management
26:12 The Complexity of Consumption-Based Models
29:47 The Evolution of SaaS Pricing Models
33:46 Understanding AI Cost Efficiency Claims
37:47 Strategizing AI Implementation in Organizations

Resources
Rich's Blog: https://cloudywithachanceoflicensing.com/
Microsoft Co-Pilot - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/copilot
Microsoft Co-Work - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/copilot
Microsoft Scout - https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2023/05/26/introducing-microsoft-365-copilot-scott/

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In this insightful episode of Impact of AI: Explored, Gerjon and James talk with Louise Humpingon (https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisehumpington/). We explore the strategic positioning of tech giants in AI governance, the importance of accountability, diversity, and responsible deployment of AI technologies. Lousie shares her diverse background from philosophy to AI governance, emphasizing the need for collaborative, adaptive, and inclusive governance frameworks to mitigate risks and maximize benefits.

key  topics
Strategic positioning of tech giants in AI regulation
Accountability and liability in AI harms
Diversity and inclusion in AI design and deployment
The need for adaptive, multi-layered governance systems
The role of human oversight and autonomous agents in AI safety

Chapters

00:00 Strategic Positioning in AI Governance
04:30 Louise's Diverse Career Path
06:44 The Need for AI Regulation
09:39 Rethinking Accountability in AI
11:58 Utilizing AI for Self-Governance
15:01 The Mycelium Network of Governance
18:39 Bridging Communication Gaps in Organizations
22:34 Navigating Disputes and Building Trust
23:47 Understanding Women's Hesitancy Towards AI
26:07 Addressing Concerns for AI Adoption
31:34 Generational Trust Issues with Technology
35:56 The Role of Ethics in AI Development
42:14 Key Questions for AI Deployment

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisehumpingon/
Chirosynthesis - https://chirosynthesis.com
From Intentions to Impact (Newsletter) - https://substack.com/@fromintentions2impact

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In this episode of Impact of AI: Explored, Gerjon and James talk with Paul Slater -  Principal AI Technologist at Adobe (https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-slater/). We discus the often overlooked costs of AI, including human, environmental, and societal impacts. We look at the importance of human control, responsible AI development, and maintaining human-centric values in the age of rapid AI evolution. We also dive into the Reverse Flynn effect which covers the decline in average IQ scores after peaking in the 1990s/2000s.
key topics

Costs of AI including human, environmental, and societal impacts
The reverse Flynn effect and declining intelligence indicators
The importance of human control and responsible AI development
Habits and behaviors influenced by AI and technology
Societal fragmentation and echo chambers caused by AI

Chapters
00:00 The Hidden Costs of AI
06:13 Understanding the Reverse Flynn Effect
10:19 Human Control vs. AI Dependence
14:16 The Impact of AI on Social Interactions
18:03 Cultural Reflections on Technology in Media
19:20 Patterns in Human Interaction with Technology
23:24 The Evolving Fear of AI
25:38 Generational Perspectives on AI
28:10 Safeguarding a Human-Centric AI Future
33:04 Addressing Societal Fragmentation through AI
38:00 Embracing Humanity in an AI-Driven World
Resources
Paul Slater's Book on AI Costs and Society (https://www.amazon.com/Your-Next-Job-Disappears-ebook/dp/B0C7V7X4X4)
European Union Guidelines on AI (https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/ai-act)
Responsible AI Guidelines by Microsoft (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/responsible-ai)
South Park Episode on AI and Society (http://southparkstudios.com/episodes/8byci4/south-park-deep-learning-season-26-ep-4)
Atomic Habits by James Clear (https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-James-Clear/dp/0735211299)
The Reverse Flynn Effect (https://www.develop.bc.ca/the-reverse-flynn-effect/)

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In this episode of Impact of AI: Explored, Gerjon and James talk with Rob Fawcett (The Human CTO) about the “boring but necessary” side of AI: governance, assurance and compliance. Rob explains why most organizations already have the skills from GDPR, ISO and data protection work – they just forget that AI is another governance problem, not a completely new universe.

Topics we cover are the EU AI Act, the upcoming UK AI bill, and the real tension between moving fast with AI and staying compliant. Rob breaks down the three modes he sees in companies today: policy and forget, the waiting game, and speed vs compliance. He also argues IT – especially the service desk – is one of the most underused assets in AI governance.

We dive into agentic AI (agents talking to agents with no human in the loop), data classification and anonymization, and who’s ultimately responsible when AI agents go wrong – vendors or the business. Rob introduces the ARIA framework (AI Readiness, Impact, Assurance), which scores and prioritizes AI use cases so you don’t just make bad processes faster, and explains how even small teams can start with something as simple as a spreadsheet inventory of all AI tools in use.

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