Strategic AI: Bringing AI into client strategy and growth

Marco Ryan, Technology and Leadership Correspondent and Cyber Leader (European Magazine and Lancaster University Management School).

A ‘Call to arms’ that uses stories and research from Marco’s book The AI-Powered Leader: How Technology Transforms the Role of Today’s CIO, to help CIOs and CTOs leverage the AI advantage, and bring more impact and strategic value creation to clients. This is really about encouraging and enabling the C-suite to see the CIO/CTO role as a value accelerator and will explore how AI can be used to augment, reinforce and drive this. 

Marco will deliver examples, stories, and tools to help CIOs/CTOs ‘rewire’ their own role and future – to leverage deep technical knowledge and move out of the shadow of ‘cost down’ IT partners, and to become key influencers in the C-suite. Marco will reference some of the research from the book and introduce the tools available.

Neil Ewington, Founder, Managing Director & Head of AI Innovation at AI Ready

Neil Ewington is the founder of AI Ready, an AI consultancy that helps organisations move from experimentation to practical AI adoption across their operations. Working with leadership teams and technology departments, Neil focuses on identifying where AI can deliver measurable efficiency, improve decision-making, and create competitive advantage.

Neil works with companies across multiple industries to design and implement AI strategies, build automated workflows, and introduce tools that transform how teams operate. His work focuses on making AI practical and accessible for organisations looking to integrate it into real business processes rather than treating it as a standalone technology initiative.

Neil regularly speaks with technology leaders about the operational realities of AI adoption, sharing lessons from real-world implementations and helping organisations understand how AI will reshape the role of teams over the coming years.

Rob May, Executive Chairman of ramsac & UK Ambassador with the Global Council for Responsible AI

Rob explores how culture, trust, and ethics determine the success of AI adoption, and what technology leaders can do to lead responsibly.

As AI becomes central to business strategy, its success depends less on algorithms and more on people. Blending thought leadership with interactive discussion, Rob will challenge us to consider what’s working, what’s not, and what leadership actions can build the confidence and capability AI needs to thrive.