Fresh off the back of our 2025 Intelligent Automation & AI Market Report release, we had the pleasure of speaking to a number of seasoned experts in the space. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to include everyone’s thoughts and insights in the report (we think we could create a separate document purely dedicated to the experts we know and their useful knowledge).
So we thought it would be good to create a dedicated blog for the extremely useful insights which were shared with us, that didn’t make it into the report. Here is the first instalment of these blogs and we hope you enjoy!
Tell us briefly about you and your place in the market
I’m Glen McCracken. I have a background in consulting, business transformation, and large-scale program delivery and have worked with data, analytics, and AI for close to 30 years. I work for ION Analytics, a leading provider of data and workflow solutions to investment banks, investors, law firms, advisors, and corporates. Previously, I served as CTO for Eden Park, Yellow Pages, and Kordia, where I led significant digital transformations.
I’m passionate about helping businesses shift from being ‘data-driven’ to ‘data-informed’-ensuring insights empower strategic decisions without dictating them.
When I’m not doing my day job you’ll find me sharing thoughts (and the occasional vent) on LinkedIn.
2024: What surprised you?
I remain surprised that many leaders are still asking “What can AI do?” instead of the real question: “What problems are we solving?”
Having worked with AI since the 1990s – back when we called it statistics and later data science – I’ve seen this evolution firsthand. Generative AI has put AI in the spotlight, but the shift from awareness to impact requires a mindset change.
AI isn’t a silver bullet to shoehorn into your business – it’s a tool to drive meaningful outcomes. Leaders must start with their core challenges before chasing AI solutions.
ChatGPT (and similar): Apart from helping my kid do their homework and marketers write blog posts quicker, what’s it actually good for?
There are a couple of things that Generative AI is really good at (and getting better at):
- Automating tedious tasks: Summarising reports, analysing unstructured data, and improving workflows
- Augmenting decisions: Providing insights and running simulations to support strategic calls
- Accelerating R&D: Fast-tracking design, testing, and innovation in fields like pharma and engineering
- Personalising customer experience: Chatbots, virtual assistants, and tailored solutions – at scale
It’s about freeing humans to focus on high-value, creative, and strategic work.
Why do we never talk about Computer Vision?
Because it’s quietly everywhere – from facial recognition to quality control in manufacturing and self-driving cars. It’s less visible because it’s not flashy like generative AI, but the impact is profound. Computer Vision is the silent workhorse of AI that powers automation, security, and analytics in ways most businesses don’t even realise.
Agentic AI: Another bandwagon—or the REAL Next Big Thing?
Agentic AI – systems that autonomously act to achieve goals – is a natural evolution, so definitely falls into “Next Big Thing” for me.
I think of it as the next step from RPA (Robotic Process Automation), but smarter. AI agents can booking meetings, manage workflows, or optimise supply chains – all without human intervention.
The potential is enormous, but so are the risks: bias, reliability, and governance. It’s real, but we’re still laying the tracks for the train to run.
Does the UK/Europe have the skills base to really contend in this market?
Not fully – yet. The UK and Europe have world-class research talent and strong academic foundations, but we face challenges in scaling these skills for real-world deployment.
To compete globally, we need:
- Upskilling existing workforces with AI capabilities
- Strong industry-academic partnerships to commercialise research
- AI literacy at leadership levels to bridge the gap between strategy and execution.
The talent is here – it just needs the right alignment, investment, and action.
Some people really hate the EU AI Act. Where do you come down on this?
The EU AI Act is well-intentioned but has some significant flaws. Its rigid, one-size-fits-all approach risks stifling innovation, particularly for startups, and lacks the flexibility needed to keep pace with AI advancements.
The US takes a different stance, focusing on:
- Sector-specific oversight: Tailored regulation for industries like healthcare and finance
- Flexible frameworks: Voluntary guidelines encourage innovation while maintaining accountability
- Innovation-first focus: Collaboration between government and private industry fosters AI growth and addresses risks
The US model strikes a better balance by prioritising flexibility, clarity, and support for startups, enabling progress alongside responsible AI governance.
The challenge lies in creating regulation that protects society while maintaining the balance needed to foster innovation – ensuring AI develops responsibly without stifling its transformative potential.
I’m a CEO and I want ‘in’ to all this. Do I retrain my data scientists to become AI gurus, hire contractors, partner with Unis, or get in with the system integrators? All of the above? Something else?
All of the above – but start with strategy.
- Identify your ‘AI North Star’: What business problems are you solving?
- Assess your talent gap: Retraining existing teams is cost-effective, but augment with specialists where needed
- Leverage partnerships: Universities for cutting-edge research, integrators for rapid deployment
- Start small: Pilot AI use cases that deliver quick wins and scale from there
Culture is key – AI adoption succeeds when the whole organisation understands and embraces it.
Trump 2.0. & new UK government: Good or bad for tech?
Tech thrives on stability and clarity. Trump 2.0 is likely to drive domestic innovation in the US but risks creating isolationist policies like stricter export controls.
The UK government could bring fresh energy to tech – investment, infrastructure, and AI adoption – but only if they prioritise skills development and R&D funding.
Governments need to stop treating tech as a political football and start enabling it as a growth engine.
What would you like Santa to bring the AI tech market in his sack for the New Year?
My wish list would include:
- Practical AI adoption: More companies moving from AI hype to solving real-world problems
- Global AI collaboration: Innovation thrives on partnerships, not silos
- Clarity on AI governance: Balanced regulations that protect but don’t paralyse
- And a little human wisdom – so we remember that AI augments us, but people are the real differentiators
Download your copy of our Intelligent Automation & AI Market Report for more insights from other experts and leaders like Glen here: https://edgetech.ai/2025-market-report/