It was standing room only for anyone who was keen to hear CreateFuture’s talk at this year's DIGIT Expo in Edinburgh. Led by our Chief Technology Officer, Jeff Watkins, and supported by Principal Delivery Manager Mari Currie, the talk entitled - From Hype to Reality: Stories from the Frontline of the AI Revolution - provided a hard-hitting exploration of what AI means for UK’s businesses, both today and in the future.

It was a day of BIG insights from the CreateFuture team as the talk also dovetailed nicely with the launch of its second report on AI adoption: From Hype to Reality: Research From the Frontline of the UK’s ‘AI Revolution' which provides a number of key observations about the UK’s own unique journey as voiced by over 1,000 business decision makers.

Below we’ve supplied you with some key takeaways from the event.  

The Elephant in the Room: Are we taking AI seriously enough in the UK?

“Do you think AI will play a critical role in your business’s future?” Jeff Watkins asked the packed room. Tentative hands shot up, perhaps underscoring the uncertainty many leaders face. In fact, this reluctance was also made tangible in our latest research insights which found that well over half (58%) of business decision-makers don’t view AI as a strategic priority right now.  

Watkins, a veteran with 25 years in the tech consultancy game, wasn’t pulling any punches. “The UK is lagging behind,” he stated, pointing to the nation’s cautious approach to innovation. He highlighted that while countries like China, the US, and even tech-forward African nations lean into AI, the UK remains more conservative in its adoption.

In fact, he warned the audience of a looming “Blockbuster moment” for UK PLC if it failed to act. “You don’t want to be the Blockbuster in a world of Netflixes,” he quipped, driving home the point that AI isn’t just a fleeting trend but a seismic shift in industries will operate.

The Fear Factor: Jobs, Privacy, and Resistance to Change

Quite early on in the session, Mari pulled the sticking plaster off when it comes to perhaps the single biggest question that is levelled against adoption - its potential to displace jobs. Highlighting one recent study, Mari stated that 38% of employees fear losing their roles to automation. However, Jeff was quick to address any concerns.

“Yes, the World Economic Forum predicts 84 million jobs could be displaced by AI,” he admitted. “But it also forecasts 97 million new roles will be created.” Citing the example of Octopus Energy’s use of technology during the energy crisis, he demonstrated how AI came to the organisation's aid to alleviate pressure on already overworked individuals in a time of need, whilst upholding customer experience and satisfaction with the service it was offering. At the height of the energy crisis, the company used AI to handle the workload equivalent to 240 employees—a move that ensured no one lost their job when looking at the wider context.

However, Jeff also highlighted that it’s not just jobs at stake. Privacy and data security are significant hurdles too, especially under stringent regulations like GDPR. He spoke to the audience about the tension between innovation and caution (driven by regulation), highlighting the EU AI Act as a key development that could shape an AI-driven innovation landscape for years to come.

In fact, we know from our recent study that widespread regulatory uncertainty around AI is a huge influencing factor for a staggering 95% of organisations.  

The Real Problem: Lack of Strategy

One of the most startling insights came from our research which Jeff and Mari honed in on is the fact that well over a third (38%) of companies admit they lack a clear AI strategy. As such Jeff reinforced the idea with the audience that having no strategy is like “planning to fail,” and that without a robust plan, companies risk falling behind competitors who are already integrating AI into their operations.

Mari stressed the importance of starting small but thinking big. “Even a minimal investment strategy now is better than none,” she explained. “It’s about building the foundation for future growth.” Jeff also underscored the need for businesses to address key questions early: What problems are we trying to solve? What are our red lines? And how do we use AI responsibly?

Hard Won Lessons From the Frontline

As part of the session, Jeff talked about CreateFuture’s own AI journey to date - stating that the day’s talk was coming from a place of experience rather than theorising.

Discussing CreateFuture’s own approach, Jeff discussed how over the last year the consultancy has rolled out bespoke AI training across the organisation, whilst also creating “AI Champions” in every department. This initiative has led to 94% of staff regularly using AI tools—a staggering statistic for such a new frontier.

As he went on to explain, the training wasn’t without its challenges admitting that his team had underestimated the investment required. “We thought we could use off-the-shelf materials, but they felt impersonal, so we filmed over 30 videos ourselves, making it specific to our organisation’s needs.” The result? Higher engagement, better feedback, and a workforce genuinely excited about AI.

Beyond Efficiency: Creativity and Collaboration

One of the session’s standout moments was a question from the audience: If AI can churn out project briefs and summarise documents faster than humans, are we heading for a world where no one actually reads anything? Noting that this was a valid observation, Jeff responded:

“This is where critical thinking becomes essential,” he said. “AI can make processes leaner, but humans still need to validate, challenge, and refine what it produces”. Mari added that AI should be seen as a tool to enhance—not replace—human creativity. “It’s about freeing people from mundane tasks so they can focus on solving the real problems.”

For creatives fearing that AI will render them obsolete, Jeff offered a reassuring pearl of wisdom. “When digital cameras came along, people thought photography would die. It didn’t—it evolved. The same is true for AI in creative industries.”

A Call to Action AI

The session ended with a call for businesses to step up their AI game. Jeff’s advice was simple but powerful: start with strategy, invest in training, and embrace the cultural shift. “AI isn’t going to replace human creativity or problem-solving,” he said. “It’s a tool to make the impossible possible. But only if you’re willing to use it wisely.”

Mari echoed his sentiments, adding, “AI is here to stay. The question is, are you ready to stay with it?”

As the audience queued up for selfies with the speakers, the post-session chatter about AI and its potential continued on. AI might still feel like a hype-filled enigma to some, but for the businesses willing to dive in, it’s clear the revolution is just beginning.

To get your copy of our latest AI insights click here.