Impact of AI:Explored

In this episode we’re at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium at Hello AI Summit 2026 and James has a chat with Dan Boyles - Global AI stratigist and Founder at Hello AI (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danhelloai/), 11 months after he turned a rough idea into an AI summit. We dig into why most AI projects stall, how bad data and “glorified Google search” use cases kill ROI, and why fixing your data foundation (think Azure SQL + Fabric) unlocks real business outcomes in operations and customer experience. Dan also explains why AI agents are “really clever interns” on their way to becoming operational teammates, and why you still need proper governance, backups and a clear “why” before you unleash them on your business.
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This episode with Phil Hobden Head of Customer Advocacy at Sage explores the realistic applications and limitations of AI in business, emphasizing the importance of good data, human oversight, and strategic integration. Phil shares insights on AI's role as a co-pilot, the necessity of foundational data, and the future of AI-driven efficiency.
AI as a tool not a cure-all
Importance of good data and governance
AI as a co-pilot, not a replacement
Challenges of siloed AI systems
Human oversight and strategic use of AI

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Anxious about AI change? In this episode, Stephen Gresty - Coaching & Training Consultant MSc (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephengrestyroiltd/) joins James live from the Hello AI Collective Summit to explore how leaders can bring people with them instead of leaving them behind. We dig into why purpose matters more than tools, how to keep work meaningful when “AI is coming for my job” is on everyone’s mind, and why AI should amplify humans rather than replace them. Stephen shares his MORSE philosophy from applied positive psychology (mindset, optimism, resilience, strengths, empathy), talks psychological safety, and warns about the real risk of “dumbing down” if we outsource our thinking to machines.
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What happens when you put a CTO from professional football in a room and ask them to be honest about AI?
Joe Darkins, CTO of Burnley Football Club, joins the show for a grounded, no-hype conversation about what it actually takes to deploy AI responsibly inside an organisation.
We cover a lot of ground. Joe breaks down why aligning AI to real business problems matters more than chasing the latest capability, how the CISO role is evolving as AI adoption accelerates, and what agentic AI looks like in a football club context. It's more complex than you might think.
We also get into the harder questions. Who is accountable when AI gets it wrong? How do you build sandboxed environments that prevent misuse? And why are local models becoming a serious conversation for organisations that care about data privacy and environmental impact?
If you're navigating AI adoption inside your organisation, this one is worth your time.
Topics covered:
Aligning AI initiatives to actual business problems
The CISO's expanding role in AI governance
Agentic AI in sport and what it signals for other sectors
AI accountability and risk management
Local models, data privacy, and sustainability

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In this episode of Impact of AI: Explored, Gerjon and James sit down with Matt Soltau,  Global Director of Strategy and Operations at IntelliIPaaS (https://www.linkedin.com/in/soltaumatt/)

They unpack AI’s hidden sustainability problem and what enterprises can actually do about it. They dig into “digital waste” in the form of zombie jobs, legacy servers, data silos and endless file duplication, and how this invisibly bloats cloud bills and energy usage. The conversation covers why AI data centers are so power-hungry, how ESG reporting is lagging behind real digital emissions, and why clean data, solid integration plumbing and clear ownership for ESG metrics are foundational for any serious AI strategy. Matt also shares real-world stories on failed AI agents, governance guardrails, and practical steps to make AI both productive and sustainable instead of just another source of greenwashed slideware

chapters
00:58 The Hidden Costs of AI Energy Consumption
04:12 Understanding Digital Waste in Enterprises
08:30 AI's Role in Sustainability: Problem or Solution?
16:34 Preparing Data for AI: The Importance of Readiness
20:54 The Challenges of AI Implementation
27:13 The Blind Spot in ESG Reporting
32:11 Bridging the Gap: Efficiency and AI
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