Most organisations say they’re “doing AI.” Very few are actually seeing results.

In this episode, I sit down with Martin Neale, founder and CEO of ICS.AI, to unpack why so many AI initiatives stall — and what it really takes to deliver impact at scale.

Both recognised in the Computing 2026 AI Leadership Index, we explore the shift from experimentation to real-world impact — and what separates organisations that are delivering from those still stuck in pilot mode.

Martin’s story is one of conviction. At 55, he cashed in his pension to build a company focused not on pilots, but on outcomes. Today, ICS.AI powers AI engagement across a significant proportion of UK councils, transforming how public services operate.

We cover:

• Why most AI programmes get stuck in “pilot mode”
• What an AI operating model actually looks like in practice
• The shift from tools to more agentic AI systems in live services
• Lessons from transforming Derby City Council into one of the UK’s first AI-native councils
• The real barriers to adoption — and how to overcome them
• Why trust, governance, and design are critical to scaling AI responsibly

This is a conversation about moving beyond hype — and building AI that actually works in the real world.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ics-ai-ltd

https://www.ics.ai/customers/derby-city-council-case-study

In this episode, Rob Price speaks with Claudine Adeyemi-Adams, founder and CEO of Earlybird AI, about how voice AI and machine learning are transforming the way organisations handle cases, support clients, and gather real insight from conversations.

Claudine’s journey from award-winning lawyer to AI startup founder highlights how new technology is reshaping traditional industries. Earlybird AI is building voice-driven tools that help employment support organisations, charities, and service providers understand the people they serve, automate case handling workflows, and improve outcomes using real-time insights.

Rob and Claudine explore the rise of voice AI, the challenges of building responsible AI systems that interact directly with people, and what founders learn when turning a mission-driven idea into a scalable AI business.

The conversation also touches on the realities of the life as an innovative SME, product-market fit in AI startups, and how voice-based intelligence could change the way organisations listen to and support their communities.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Voice AI and the future of case management
• Building an AI startup from a legal background
• AI for employment support and social impact organisations
• Responsible AI and human-centred design
• Selling and scaling an AI business
• Why voice data could become one of the most valuable sources of insight

Links

Earlybird website: https://www.getearlybird.ai
Futuria website: https://futuria.ai