AI at Work

• How Thoughtworks Sees AI Maturing Beyond Hype in 2025

  In this episode of AI at Work, I sit down with Mike Mason, Chief AI Officer at Thoughtworks, to explore what happens when the generative AI hype starts to settle and businesses begin asking the real questions. What’s working, what’s not, and what does mature adoption actually look like in 2025?Mike brings a practical, deeply informed view of the AI landscape. We talk about how intelligent agents are evolving well beyond basic chatbots and starting to act as collaborative teammates inside real workflows. From customer support to software development, these agents are now reasoning, adapting, and in some cases, working alongside other agents to get things done.We also explore the growing shift toward open source AI. Mike explains why some companies, especially in regulated sectors like financial services, are leaning into in-house or fine-tuned small models for better control, data security, and flexibility. We unpack what’s driving the rise of small language models and why in many cases, smaller, more nimble models are outperforming their larger counterparts in speed, privacy, and efficiency.One of the most thought-provoking parts of our chat was about the diverging paths organizations are taking with GenAI. Mike shares insights from Thoughtworks’ upcoming global survey, which shows that while some are embedding bias detection and strong governance into their strategies, others are focused purely on quick wins and interpretability. That divide is shaping not just how projects are executed but how companies are thinking about long-term AI maturity.If you're navigating the tension between speed and safety or trying to decide whether to build, fine-tune, or adopt off-the-shelf models, this conversation offers real perspective. We cover explainability, regulation, open ecosystems, and what tech leaders should be planning for next as AI becomes part of everyday business.This isn’t about future hype. It’s about how AI is actually getting to work.

  --------  

  38:46

  --------

  38:46
• How Orange Business Sees AI and Automation Rebuilding Manufacturing

  In this episode of AI at Work, I’m joined by Simon Ranyard, Managing Director for Northwest Europe at Orange Business, to challenge old assumptions about manufacturing and reveal how technology is rewriting the rules.We discuss how AI, automation, augmented reality and 5G are giving manufacturers the tools to boost productivity, reduce downtime and create high-value careers instead of cutting jobs. Simon shares practical insights on where the UK stands, how to close the skills gap, and why apprenticeships and reskilling are more important than ever.If you think factories are all grease and gears, this conversation will make you think again. Take a closer look at how Orange Business is helping manufacturers adapt and thrive, and what this means for workers, companies and the wider economy.

  --------  

  24:39

  --------

  24:39
• AI That Works: How Freshworks Turns Hype into Real ROI

  In this episode of AI at Work, I sit down with Dennis Woodside, CEO of Freshworks, to uncover how real companies are getting true value from AI.Dennis shares how Freshworks has built AI tools that help businesses resolve routine questions automatically, boost agent productivity, and give managers clear performance insights without needing complex dashboards. He explains the company’s focus on making AI quick to deploy and simple to buy, so mid-sized companies can see immediate returns without endless consulting bills.We explore customer stories like Total Expert, which saved thousands of agent hours and saw a 250 percent return on its AI investment. Dennis also talks about the lessons learned from integrating AI internally and how the company stays flexible enough to adopt the latest advances from across the industry.This conversation is for anyone who wants to see beyond the AI hype and hear how smart companies are using it to save time, cut costs, and let people focus on more rewarding work.

  --------  

  30:14

  --------

  30:14
• How OpenUK is Driving Open Technology, AI Transparency, and Global Standards

  In this episode of AI at Work, I catch up with Amanda Brock, CEO of OpenUK, for a wide-ranging conversation on the changing landscape of open technology, AI transparency, and international collaboration.We explore how OpenUK is working ahead of the market, helping shape policies and support for open source projects while responding to rising geopolitical tensions and funding pressures. Amanda explains how the UK occupies a unique position between the EU and the US and what that means for future AI standards and regulatory frameworks.We also discuss:The sustainability challenges facing open source communities and maintainersShifts in AI development, including legal and ethical questions around IP and model transparencyThe role of tools like Roost and initiatives like Current AI in creating practical solutions for AI governanceWhy "tools, not rules" may offer a more realistic path than top-down regulationThe importance of keeping open source accessible as a route into the tech industryAmanda shares her concerns about the rollback of EDI efforts and highlights how open communities can still offer a clear path into tech for people from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. We discuss OpenUK's upcoming skills report and how it aims to highlight open source as a solution to address the ongoing talent shortage.Recorded ahead of International Women's Day, this episode also reflects on the slow progress around diversity and how leadership, policy, and community must come together to drive lasting change.If you're interested in how policy, law, and open technology intersect with AI development, this conversation offers thoughtful perspective, clear examples, and real-world action.🎧 Listen now and let us know where you think the future of open innovation is headed.

  --------  

  34:07

  --------

  34:07
• Why Insight Says Internal AI Use Is the Best Place to Start

  In this episode of AI at Work, I sit down with Juan Orlandini, CTO North America at Insight, to unpack the often-overlooked side of AI adoption: regulation, data strategy, and governance. While much of the recent conversation around AI has focused on speed, productivity, and experimentation, Juan brings the discussion back to fundamentals. Before you scale that shiny new AI tool across your business, have you classified your data? Have you considered your compliance obligations? And do you understand the different responsibilities that come with being an AI creator, adapter, or consumer?Juan walks us through Insight’s perspective on the current state of enterprise AI, including how they’ve used their own internal tools like InsightGPT to stress test both opportunities and risks. We discuss why internal use cases are often the best place to start, and how leaders can avoid repeating the mistakes of past tech waves, like the race to cloud or mobile apps without a clear strategy.We also explore the patchwork of US regulations, with California leading the way, and compare this to the EU’s more prescriptive approach. Juan explains how these emerging policies are shaping real business decisions right now, and what business leaders can do to stay ahead. Throughout our chat, his advice is grounded and practical, offering a steady counterpoint to the noise and hype.Whether deep in deployment or just starting to explore how AI fits into your business, Juan's insights offer a roadmap to thinking bigger while avoiding costly missteps. How do you keep your organization agile enough to adapt, but stable enough to deliver? And what does it really take to treat AI as an enterprise tool rather than a passing trend?Tune in to hear Juan’s advice on managing risk, reimagining processes, and building a culture that is ready for what comes next.

  --------  

  28:43

  --------

  28:43

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About AI at Work

AI at Work: Podcasts in Family