Joshua J Morley: Current state of the AI landscape

Global Head of AI, Data and Analytics at Akkodis, delivered the opening address "Current State of the Al landscape: What can we do to cut through the hype?" where he shared insights into the impact of artificial intelligence on business and technology. He discussed how AI is driving significant changes, enabling faster innovation, and helping organisations improve efficiency.

Joshua gave practical examples, such as reducing development timelines from several years to just months, and how AI can support sustainability goals, like cutting energy consumption by 40%, highlighting AI’s potential to transform operations and meet strategic objectives.

He also explored some of the risks associated with AI, including privacy challenges, job displacement, and emerging security threats like voice replication scams. A notable example involved an AI-generated scam where a mother was tricked by a voice mimicking her child, emphasising the importance of ethical AI development and strong safeguards.

Joshua encouraged businesses to view AI as an opportunity for growth rather than a risk to be feared. He highlighted the value of foundation models in solving complex problems and stressed the importance of combining AI with human intelligence to create better outcomes. Collaboration between humans and AI, he noted, can enhance problem-solving and decision-making across various industries.

Training and education were another focus of the session. Joshua spoke about Akkodis' efforts to upskill professionals through its academy, which has trained over 16,000 people in 12 countries. He underscored the need for businesses to invest in workforce development to remain competitive in the AI-driven economy.

Joshua closed by encouraging businesses to act now, integrating AI responsibly to prepare for future challenges. His talk sparked meaningful discussions about how organisations can adopt AI in a way that is both effective and sustainable.

The forum provided attendees with practical examples and clear strategies for navigating the opportunities and challenges that AI brings.