In this episode, Jonathan Blaber and returning guest Eric Schwartz recap Schwartz’s 2025 AI Predictions and discuss how accurate they were. They cover the rapid rise of agentic AI, enterprise AI adoption (including major investments and ROI), model specialization and personalities, and how jobs and skills are evolving. They also explore emerging trends for 2026 like autonomy, vibe coding (AI-driven development), improved memory and personalization in models, robotics, and the environmental and economic impacts of AI.

Eric shares real-world examples and use cases, from AI voice agents and enterprise bots to rapid prototype building and potential space-based data centres, highlighting both opportunities and challenges for businesses and workers.

In this episode Jonathan Blaber and Sarah Schlobohm discuss what leaders should do when given an AI mandate, focusing on practical first steps: identify real business problems, start with internal pilots that eliminate tedious tasks, and avoid using AI just for the sake of it.

They cover common failure causes - poor data and unprepared people - how to set realistic ROI expectations, and the importance of governance and legal risk awareness.

The conversation closes with a view that AI is moving from incremental improvements to a transformational "iPhone moment."

In this episode of AI Horizons, host Jonathan Blaber sits down with Sandy Boxall, CEO of Contract Finder Pro, to explore how AI is transforming the painful world of public sector bid writing. Sandy shares his journey from decades of selling into government at large corporates to spotting a critical gap in how tenders are found, managed, and written - an idea that first took shape over a few pints in the pub with his co-founder, Dave.

Sandy lifts the lid on why traditional bidding is so broken: scattered case studies, inconsistent tone of voice, frantic last-minute edits, and risky “creative” claims that can even jeopardise contracts under new procurement rules. He then explains how Contract Finder Pro uses multiple LLMs working together with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to storyboard, draft, and evaluate bids - without inventing facts.

Jonathan and Sandy dig into ROI, time savings of 30–50%, and how AI tools can both boost win rates and finally give SMEs a fair shot against big players. They wrap up by looking ahead to a future where smarter bidding doesn’t just help suppliers - but also delivers better value for taxpayers.

Season two of AI Horizons meets ESB founders Jitendra Patel and Eric Esposito-Cornelio to explore their AI-powered MedTech solution that automates sickness reporting and supports employees 24/7.

The chatbot streamlines HR workflows, offers triage and doctor follow-ups, provides multilingual and alternative-medicine guidance, and protects user privacy while reducing administrative burden and sick days.

The episode highlights both B2B and B2C models, the product’s global reach and accessibility goals, and the team’s ambition to make healthcare support affordable or free for those who need it most.

In this episode, with global data leader Helen Mannion, we explore how AI leaders can communicate with confidence and clarity at the board level. With many board members lacking a technical background, the ability to shape a compelling narrative around AI is no longer optional – it is essential.

We discuss how to frame AI as a strategic business enabler, rather than just a technology function, and how to align data and AI initiatives with the wider goals of the organisation.

You will hear practical tips on:

• Building trust and credibility with the board
• Translating complex AI concepts into business value
• Showing both short-term wins and long-term vision
• Anticipating concerns around risk, ethics and ROI
• Positioning yourself as a strategic partner, not just a technical expert

If you are looking to make a stronger case for AI investment and influence decision-makers at the highest level, this episode is for you.

In this episode, with Lucia Kolmjen, we explore the case for embedding public interest at the heart of AI innovation. Anchored by the Roman proverb "What touches you should be governed by all", we unpack the growing disconnect between the rapid adoption of generative AI and the real needs, hopes and fears of the public.

We ask: if AI is shaping every corner of our lives, shouldn’t we all have a say in how it's developed?

Our guest presents a compelling argument for a new framework: the Inclusive AI Innovation Formula, built around three core pillars (revealed in the episode) that help organisations align innovation with real human truths.

We dive into:

• Why public voices are missing from the AI conversation
• What’s at stake for companies who ignore them
• How leaders can move beyond the hype to build technology that works with people, not just for them

Whether you're just starting your AI journey or leading transformation efforts, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about what inclusive and responsible innovation really means.

In this episode of AI Horizons, we’re thrilled to welcome Bryan Johnson, a true leader in AI and data innovation. With over 25 years of experience in consulting, product development, and AI-driven transformation, Bryan has helped businesses of all sizes harness the power of AI.

From his role as Head of AI & Data at Argon & Co, where he led teams in AI governance and operational excellence, to his time as Chief Innovation Officer at Forestreet, where he built an award-winning market intelligence platform, Bryan brings deep expertise on AI’s real-world impact- especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

In this episode, we discuss:

• AI Transformation for SMEs: How smaller businesses can adopt AI cost-effectively and implement it in incremental, practical ways.
• Challenges & Opportunities: The unique hurdles SMEs face in adopting AI and the untapped potential AI offers for growth and innovation.
• Future Trends: Where AI is headed and how SMEs can future-proof their businesses to stay ahead of the curve.

This is a must-listen for SME leaders looking to leverage AI without the complexity or heavy investment often associated with AI transformation.

In this episode of AI Horizons, host Jonathan Blaber welcomes Nicholas Deveney, Director of Consulting at Eden Smith, to explore the rising demand for AI-powered Co-Pilot solutions and the key challenges businesses face when adopting AI.

With over a decade of experience spanning recruitment, data, and AI-driven transformation, Nick shares how his journey from sales to technical consulting has shaped his approach to AI adoption.

In this discussion, we cover:

✅ AI Transformation for Businesses – Where should companies start when adopting Co-Pilot?

✅ Common Challenges & Security Considerations – The risks & technical barriers leaders need to be aware of.

✅ User Adoption & Prompt Engineering – Why successful AI implementation requires more than just tools—it needs training.

✅ Microsoft Co-Pilot vs. Other AI Solutions – How organisations can integrate AI into their workflows.

✅ AI's Impact on Efficiency – Real-world examples of how AI is cutting admin time and driving productivity.

✅ Starting Small with AI – Why proof of concepts (PoCs) are the best way to test and measure AI’s impact before full adoption.

From helping enterprises design AI strategies to unlocking efficiencies for SMEs, Nick offers expert guidance on making AI work for your business.