In this episode of The AI Adoption Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Matt Houlihan, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Cisco Europe.
Matt brings a wealth of experience from both government and the private sector, and together we explored what it truly means for organisations to be AI ready. Cisco’s AI Readiness Index provides fascinating, and at times sobering, insights: while 98% of companies see the urgency of AI adoption, only 13% consider themselves fully ready.
Listen to find out why Matt says: “there’s a huge gap between the excitement about AI and organisations’ actual readiness to make a success of it.”
We discussed:
• The five pillars of AI readiness, which are strategy, infrastructure, data, governance, and culture/talent.
• Why the UK’s productivity challenge makes tech adoption a national priority.
• The dual role of AI in cybersecurity both as a threat and as a defence.
• The importance of trust and responsible AI principles and how Cisco embeds them into practice.
• The future of jobs, in particular, the transformation in ICT, rising demand for AI skills, and the vital role of training and digital skills.
Key messages
• AI readiness is crucial for successful adoption.
• Leadership plays a significant role in AI readiness.
• Data management is essential for effective AI use.
• Cybersecurity concerns can hinder AI adoption.
• Trust in AI systems is vital for organisations.
• Regulation can coexist with innovation in AI.
• AI is transforming job roles and productivity.
• Digital skills training is necessary for workforce adaptation.
• Cisco aims to train 25 million people in digital skills by 2030.
• Demand for AI skills in job postings has surged.
00:00 Introduction to AI Adoption and Cisco's Role
04:22 Understanding AI Readiness and Its Importance
10:04 Key Factors of AI Readiness
13:22 The Role of Data in AI Adoption
16:34 AI and Cybersecurity: A Double-Edged Sword
21:16 Building Trust in AI Systems
25:52 Ensuring Principles are Lived in Organisations
28:05 Navigating Regulation and Innovation in AI
34:15 The Impact of AI on Jobs and Skills
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