AI Without the Fluff: What Really Works & What Doesn’t in Business AI

Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword. The initial hype is beginning to settle, but the pace of innovation hasn’t slowed down. New tools, breakthroughs and use cases are emerging every week. For technologists, it's an exciting time. For businesses, however, it can feel overwhelming.

With so many voices shouting about AI, many companies are left wondering:

• Should we be doing something with AI?
• How do we even begin?
• What’s worth the investment and what’s just noise?

That’s what this workshop is here to solve.

This session is about quieting the hype for a moment and cutting through the confusion.

You’ll learn:

• The tangible AI opportunities you can leverage right now to drive value.
• The long term shifts your business should be preparing for to stay competitive.
• The six foundational pillars every organisation needs in place to ensure AI success, from strategy and infrastructure to culture and governance.

After a short break, we’ll go beyond the AI readiness framework, to demonstrating the art of the possible. Showcasing real world examples of AI delivering measurable results across a variety of business functions, including some of our own.

This workshop is designed to be accessible, practical and business focused, no matter your technical background. Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or looking to scale your efforts, this session will provide clarity, inspiration and a clear path forward.

Part 1: Building the Foundations – The 6 Core Pillars of AI Success

To unlock the value of AI, businesses need more than just the technology. We’ll walk attendees through the six essential pillars every organisation must get right before implementing AI:

1. Strategy – Aligning AI with business strategy and goals.
2. Infrastructure – Ensuring the right systems are in place to collect, store and manage data effectively to feed the AI.
3. Analysis & Data Quality – Understanding and improving the quality and usability of data for accurate AI systems.
4. Culture – Building AI buy in across the organisation.
5. Governance – Managing compliance, security and ethics in AI usage.
6. Talent – Having the right people and partners with the right skillset to sustain AI innovation.

What attendees will learn:

• Where their business currently stands in relation to the six pillars.
• How to identify blockers that could limit successful AI adoption.
• Steps they can take immediately to futureproof their business for AI.
• How to build a roadmap for becoming a data fluent, AI ready organisation.

Part 2: Tangible AI Use Cases for Business

After the break, we’ll switch gears and showcase powerful real world examples of AI in action, including automation, forecasting and optimisation.

What attendees will take away:

• A clear picture of how AI is already being used in businesses like theirs.
• Inspiration from creative, low barrier to entry use cases.
• A look into emerging trends and their role in future business operations.
• A live demonstration of a real AI assistant accessing private business data to answer questions, generate insights and support decision making.

Pre-session preparation:

There’s no technical knowledge required to attend, this is strictly a non-technical business event. However, to get the most out of the session, attendees are encouraged to come with:

• A few thoughts on their current business challenges or bottlenecks, even if they don’t think they’re data or AI related. You might be surprised at what’s possible and we may uncover simple, impactful solutions you hadn’t considered.
• An open mind and curiosity about how data and AI can help solve real problems across different parts of the business.
• A willingness to reflect honestly on their current data maturity, systems and culture, this is key to identifying the most valuable starting points.
• A quick review of how many different systems currently exist in the business and how easy (or hard) it is to get accurate information quickly. This will help frame the discussion around quick wins and long term opportunities.
• Any questions from strategic to technical to “Is this even possible?” I always welcome open, engaging discussions and will do my best to address anything AI or data related during the session.

About Elliot Fearn:
Elliot is a data and AI strategist helping organisations leverage their data into a competitive advantage. He is the founder of Data Stream UK, an end-to-end data agency based in Yorkshire that helps businesses build data fluency and adopt AI in a practical, results driven way.

Combining formal education in artificial intelligence and hands on practical experience delivering AI solutions across diverse sectors, including manufacturing, professional services, logistics and consumer services, Elliot brings deep technical knowledge with a pragmatic, business first approach. He regularly delivers workshops and keynotes on AI and leads projects that span everything from data analysis and data engineering to AI business assistants and intelligent automation.

About Data Stream UK:
Data Stream UK specialises in making AI work for real businesses. Their six pillar framework ensures organisations have the right strategy, infrastructure, culture and governance in place to adopt AI successfully. From building modern data stacks to developing custom AI solutions and dashboards, Data Stream UK helps clients unlock measurable value, reduce inefficiencies and futureproof their business through smart use of data and automation.

This event is free to attend, but registration is essential.

Please note that photography and video will be taken at the event for promotional purposes. If you would prefer not to be included, please speak to a member of the event team on arrival.

For questions or more information, please contact:
business.nyc@northyorks.gov.uk