Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword; it's reshaping industries, enhancing our daily lives, and pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve. But what does the future of AI really look like? And how will it shape the world we live and work in?
As AI continues to evolve, it promises transformative changes across sectors, unlocking new opportunities while presenting unique challenges.
We asked some of our leaders to share their perspectives on where AI is heading, the opportunities and challenges it presents, and the skills we’ll need to thrive in this new era.
Richard Caddick is Consulting Director, Susannah Matschke is Head of Data and AI growth, Gary Craven is Head of Data and AI delivery, Dr Kevin Macnish is Head of Ethics and Sustainability Consulting, and Gethin Leiba is a Consulting Manager within Data and AI.
From industry impact to personal aspirations, their insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the transformative power of AI. Dive in to hear their thoughts and join the conversation about what’s next in the world of AI.
Evolution of AI in the Next Decade
The evolution of AI over the next decade is poised to reshape industries and redefine the boundaries of possibilities. While the road ahead is marked by challenges, experts are optimistic about AI’s transformative potential.
Richard compares AI's impact to that of the Internet, predicting that "AI is the next wave, it's not a new channel like the Internet was, but will advance everything that we touch that's digital". But ultimately, he sees AI becoming like “a utility or tool. It's not a means to an end in itself but will aid our work and improve what we do in so many areas.”
Kevin notes that "GenAI is nearing its capacity in terms of data input from the internet," and as progress in GenAI slows, "it will be matched by greater focus on more traditional machine learning which can be used to iron out the flaws in GenAI". The lack of quality data issue is echoed by Gethin who highlights that "5-10 years is a long way away and significant hurdles are emerging, including the scarcity of high-quality data and the difficulties organisations face when moving from Proof of Concept to full-scale production."
This aligns with Susannah’s observation that while many organisations have vast amounts of data, “the quality and completeness of that data is key to high-quality AI outputs. If we’re using data to train AI models, then it needs to be complete, accurate, high quality, and unbiased. Most data wasn’t created with this in mind, so there is work to do to get it to a place where it can be used effectively.” She also notes that synthetic data offers an alternative but brings its own challenges, particularly around fairness, biases, and specificity.
Gary sees AI’s evolution driving a cultural shift, predicting that “we’ll move from AI acting as co-pilots in the workplace to co-workers. AI agents will significantly outnumber people and will be deployed company wide.” However, he envisions this shift creating opportunities to redefine the workforce. “Forward-thinking companies can take advantage of the innovation this creates- not doing the same for less but reinvesting in their workforce to improve services and create new products.”
Despite these challenges, Gethin believes that "AI (not just generative AI) will become a core element of most operational processes, enhancing efficiency and reducing turnaround times".
Opportunities and Risks
As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, it presents a double-edged sword of transformative opportunities and equally significant risks. On one hand, it promises to revolutionse industries and democratise access to services, on the other, it introduces challenges that could reshape societal and ethical landscapes.
Gary captures this tension, describing it as "the double-edged sword of freeing us up from mundane tasks to allow for more human connection versus the over-reliance on AI tools designed to keep us hooked, which consumes us and sacrifices this opportunity." He envisions a future where public services are seamless and interconnected, with examples like passports being automatically renewed ahead of a holiday, birth certificates issued alongside child benefit enrollments, and midwife visits scheduled before new parents leave the hospital. However, he emphasises that trust and transparency are essential for achieving this vision.
Gethin highlights risks such as the depletion of quality data, centralisation of AI ownership, and over-reliance on AI tools as major risks. He warns that "the most worrying is the weaponisation of AI in harmful activities, such as orchestrating disinformation campaigns through the automation of so called ‘troll farms’".
This perspective aligns with Susannah’s observation that “as a society, we’re still working out what the playbook is for these new tools and how we want them to benefit our lives once the novelty wears off.” She underscores the importance of education in ensuring that AI is used as a tool rather than being accepted as the definitive answer without interrogation or critical reasoning.
Richard points out the risk of losing differentiation as competitors access the same AI tools, while Kevin warns of a potential digital divide between those with access to human services and those relegated to AI. He said, “I worry that the requirement of explainability in laws like the AI act are impracticable with GenAI/artificial neural networks and could lead to problems going forwards as lawmakers and society demand an understanding of (and accountability for) how AI has arrived at a decision.”
Ultimately, as AI reshapes industries and society, achieving a balance between innovation and ethical governance will be crucial.
Skills for an AI-Driven Future
As AI continues to reshape the professional landscape, the skill sets required to thrive in this new era are evolving rapidly. The ability to work effectively alongside AI tools will not only enhance individual productivity but also drive organisational success. However, as Susannah points out, “there needs to be formalised AI education for employees as with any other tool, either at a business level of more widely.”
She highlights that many individuals are experimenting with AI tools without a formal understanding of their impacts, best practices, or how to achieve the most impactful results. To thrive in an AI-driven future, certain skills will be indispensable.
Kevin highlights the need to understand that "interacting with an AI is different from a search engine," and those who navigate this tension will be the most successful. While Richard adds that "creativity and critical thinking" will be crucial, as employees need to use AI to boost their values and know when AI recommendations are not in their best interests.
Gethin stresses the importance of "data literacy and a solid understanding of AI principles," enabling employees to use AI tools effectively. Plus “the ability to gather and articulate use requirements, translating them into actionable technical specifications, will also be highly valuable”, this will allow people to “bridge the gap between real-world use case and technological capabilities.”
Gary predicts a workplace where employees manage their own teams of AI agents, focusing on how services could be dramatically improved and developing new products at pace. In this landscape, “problem-solving, interpersonal skills, communication, and critical thinking will be key skills- essentially enhancing the attributes that make us human.”
Dream AI Tools
When asked about their dream AI tools, the experts let their imaginations run wild. Gethin envisions an AI tool that "would take your holiday requirements and prior preferences, scour the internet, and craft the perfect itinerary".
Kevin would love to have “a fully automated home in which the lights turned on and off as people entered rooms, kettles boiled and food cooked itself,” but thinking to the more likely he imagines AI being used to "find affordable vaccines and cures for a lot of ailments that impact the developing world," providing affordable healthcare and support globally.
Susannah resonates with a quote she recently came across recently that said, “I want AI to do my laundry and dishes so I can create poetry and art, not for AI to create poetry and art so that I can do laundry and the dishes.”
Gary takes this concept further, imagining a world where AI seamlessly handles life’s logistics, freeing people to focus on their passions. “Wearable tech will monitor my health and fitness to such a degree it can identify potential illness and arrange a pre-emptive doctor’s appointment. It'll plan my training routines, warn me of potential injury risks, book events I'd love, and even manage my social diary by coordinating with my friend’s AI assistants.”
The areas that come to mind for Richard are already starting, with dreams of AI solutions for "medicine/healthcare and global warming".
Key Takeaways from 2024
Reflecting on the key events of 2024, Kevin notes the passing of the AI Act, which included a new section on GenAI. This has led to early conversations that we’ve had with clients about AI governance and literacy. The focus on governance has become a profession in its own right, with new qualifications and job opportunities emerging in this space. However, the take-up and use of GenAI have been slower than expected, partly due to the need for better governance and understanding of how to integrate GenAI effectively.
Recommendations for the Future
Looking ahead, Kevin recommends taking a holistic view when implementing AI, ensuring that the business case, implementation plan, and governance are all in place. He cautions against rushing to adopt GenAI, emphasising that "it is not the answer to everything and that a hybrid of machine learning and GenAI may be the future".
Susannah reinforces this by advising businesses to “put in the ‘spade work’ to get your data into a good place before diving in headfirst with complex and potentially expensive AI tools.” This preparatory work helps to prevent “Proof of Concept paralysis” and ensures better ROI, enabling organisations to make more informed and effective use of AI.
In conclusion, the future of AI is filled with both promise and challenges. By understanding the opportunities and risks, developing the right skills, and approaching AI implementation thoughtfully, we can harness its potential to transform our world for the better.