Centre for Digital Transformation

01/07/2026

What do we want from AI?

As 2026 advances, we must recognize that AI is no longer a novel experiment on the edge of the digital economy; it is deeply embedded in the infrastructure of everyday life.

The question “What do we want from AI?” is therefore less about speculative futures and more about aligning today’s systems with public expectations of fairness, safety and human dignity.

Thank you Alan Brown for another great post to start 2026!

Learn more: https://dispatches.alanbrown.net/p/digital-economy-dispatch-265-what-do-we-want-from-ai?utm_source=dispatches.alanbrown.net&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=digital-economy-dispatch-265-what-do-we-want-from-ai&_bhlid=869f82513dc00ae8225e6a20b1d5797586b146be&last_resource_guid=Post%3A8317b9ad-4882-4f5b-832b-685b66fc53f7

The latest survey from the Ada Lovelace Institute reveals that while the UK public sees potential in AI for areas like healthcare, many fear its current harms and lack of accountability.

12/01/2025

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/conversations-live_cyber-criminals-arent-slowing-down-and-ai-activity-7401329465307381760-5BB1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAA1pG_kBt__b9HzFME5pGN_IQhtKDFq21ls

Cyber criminals aren’t slowing down and AI is supercharging that threat! So what can you do? What can your company, your bank, or even your government do to keep you safe from the biggest cyber threats of today? 🔐 Join us December 10 at 5 PM PT for Conversations Live: Cybersecurity 🎙️ Feat...

11/23/2025

Register now 👉 https://luma.com/LocalGov

11/23/2025

Untangling the Myth of "Could" vs "Should" in AI Decision-Making - AI is blurring the lines in decision making. As you evolve your AI strategy, if you still think AI handles the “could", while humans control the “should”, you may be leading your organization astray.

Thank you for another great article Alan Brown! Many organizations still continue to talk about the importance of AI without having any formal AI strategy in place...

Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/.../swilson8_digital-economy...

11/17/2025

Register Today! 👉 You are invited to our complimentary Local Government Sector Day presented in partnership with ISACA Vancouver Chapter, and the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

Join us for a another edition of our Local Government Sector Day where we’ll explore the most pressing cybersecurity challenges facing municipalities today. Our expert speakers will share practical strategies for protecting vital local government systems, offer insights into using free or low-cost tools, and demonstrate how to foster a resilient cybersecurity culture. From federal policing partnerships to hands-on guidance in building your cybersecurity plan, each session is designed to equip leaders, administrators, and IT professionals with the knowledge and confidence to safeguard their communities in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Sessions:

🔐​The New Security Awareness is Organizational Change Management

🔐Empowering Communities, Building Cyber Defenders​

🔐Fireside Chat: Quantum Readiness: What “Q-Day” Really Means for Your Organization

Register now 👉 https://luma.com/LocalGov

11/11/2025

Who Do We Trust With AI? - In all the AI technology excitement, it’s easy to forget that with digital technology revolutions, it is essential not just to ride the wave, but to guide the direction with care, vigilance, and humility. The AI revolution promises much, but it is our responsibility to make sure it delivers in a way that preserves the trust, sovereignty, and values we hold dear.

Thank you Alan Brown for another great read!

Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/swilson8_digital-economy-dispatch-257-who-do-we-activity-7394029391724474368-3Kt9?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAA1pG_kBt__b9HzFME5pGN_IQhtKDFq21ls

11/04/2025

You are invited to our complimentary Local Government Sector Day presented in partnership with ISACA Vancouver Chapter Vancouver, and the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia Authority of BC (British Columbia) on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

Join us for a another edition of our Local Government Sector Day where we’ll explore the most pressing cybersecurity challenges facing municipalities today. Our expert speakers will share practical strategies for protecting vital local government systems, offer insights into using free or low-cost tools, and demonstrate how to foster a resilient cybersecurity culture. From federal policing partnerships to hands-on guidance in building your cybersecurity plan, each session is designed to equip leaders, administrators, and IT professionals with the knowledge and confidence to safeguard their communities in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Sessions:

🔐The New Security Awareness is Organizational Change Management
🔐Empowering Communities, Building Cyber Defenders
🔐Fireside Chat: Quantum Readiness: What “Q-Day” Really Means for Your Organization

Register now 👉 https://luma.com/LocalGov

10/13/2025

Educational Leadership in the Age of AI. The arrival of AI is forcing a fundamental rethink of roles and impact for everyone in higher education.

Financial pressures are real, competition is global, and digital disruption is constant. The universities that thrive will be those that turn toward AI, not away from it. Those making progress will combine industry partnerships, innovation, and their historic mission to foster both understanding and wisdom.

The key opportunity for AI lies in democratizing access and rehumanizing teaching. Leaders who prioritise such an approach to drive this move to transform workforce agendas and build strong industry links will give their institutions the best chance not just to survive but to thrive, reshaping what higher education means in a world remade by AI.

Thank you Alan Brown for another fantastic weekly read and from recent conversations I have been having with educational leadership across Canada these same issues impacting the UK also apply here as well.

Facing a financial crisis and intense global competition, UK universities must strategically leverage AI to both survive and thrive. This requires automating administration for cost savings and fundamentally transforming the educator role to focus on critical thinking and industry partnerships.

10/04/2025

The Rise of the AI Strategic Advisor

The future of leadership will not be about choosing between data-driven machines and human wisdom. It will be about combining them, drawing on AI for rigour and perspective, while relying on human insight for empathy and judgment. That balance will define strategic excellence in the years ahead.

As a leader, I encourage you to ask whether you’re using AI in its most effective way and to embrace AI as a critical friend in defining and reviewing your strategy. But as you do so, always remember one thing: leadership itself remains fundamentally, irreplaceably human.

Thank you Alan Brown for another fantastic and timely read! I recently was asked this question about AI and leadership and completely agree that great leadership itself will always remains fundamentally, and irreplaceably human.

Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/swilson8_digital-economy-dispatch-251-using-ai-activity-7380388889661825024-jPFG?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAA1pG_kBt__b9HzFME5pGN_IQhtKDFq21ls

The Rise of the AI Strategic Advisor The future of leadership will not be about choosing between data-driven machines and human wisdom. It will be about combining them, drawing on AI for rigour and perspective, while relying on human insight for empathy and judgment. That balance will define strateg...

09/23/2025

AI and A call for Strategic Vision!

We need to resist the temptation to view AI primarily through the lens of generative models. Instead, we should ask: Where in our organization do we deal with complex systems, uncertain predictions, or vast amounts of data that currently overwhelm human decision-making capacity? These are often the areas where AI can create the most value.

Our challenge as leaders isn't just to implement the AI tools everyone is talking about, but to identify and leverage the AI capabilities that others are overlooking. In a world increasingly defined by complexity and uncertainty, that broader vision of AI may be our greatest competitive advantage

Thank you Alan Brown for another great weekend read!

Learn more: https://dispatches.alanbrown.net/p/digital-economy-dispatch-250-why-you-might-be-focused-on-the-wrong-ai?utm_source=dispatches.alanbrown.net&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=digital-economy-dispatch-250-why-you-might-be-focused-on-the-wrong-ai&_bhlid=d8acbd795c2bcd1c49916d0d9ecd6c455135605f

The biggest AI breakthroughs aren't generating content, they're predicting the future and optimizing complex systems.

09/09/2025

The Human Factor: Preparing for AI-Driven Change

let's address the human side of AI adoption. Your technology and data can be perfect, but if your people aren't prepared for the changes ahead, your AI initiatives will struggle.

Have you been transparent with your team about how AI might change their roles? Not just the positive "AI will augment your capabilities" messaging, but the real talk about which tasks might be automated, which jobs might evolve significantly, and what new skills will become essential?

Great insights from Alan Brown!

Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/swilson8_digital-economy-dispatch-248-the-summers-activity-7371267408491315200-s7bz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAA1pG_kBt__b9HzFME5pGN_IQhtKDFq21ls

The Human Factor: Preparing for AI-Driven Change let's address the human side of AI adoption. Your technology and data can be perfect, but if your people aren't prepared for the changes ahead, your AI initiatives will struggle. Have you been transparent with your team about how AI might change their...

08/15/2025

WHAT IS “FUTURE READY”? - Future-ready organizations move beyond business silos to adopt a function-first methodology, an agile operating model, and data-driven behaviors that unite their business strategy with their technology to drive growth and change.

Being future-ready is about creating a culture of experimentation and positive energy toward new and evolving technology. When you do this, you don’t lock yourself into any choice and you avoid regrettable tech debt.

Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/swilson8_how-ready-are-you-for-an-unpredictable-tech-activity-7361968446651183104-vR66?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAA1pG_kBt__b9HzFME5pGN_IQhtKDFq21ls

WHAT IS “FUTURE READY”? - Future-ready organizations move beyond business silos to adopt a function-first methodology, an agile operating model, and data-driven behaviors that unite their business strategy with their technology to drive growth and change. Being future-ready is about creating a c...