As AI continues to mature, the conversation around it is shifting. We’ve entered a new era where technology is no longer the bottleneck. Now, the real challenge is something far more meaningful: AI strategy.
Organisations that see AI as more than just a tool and use it to create value, delight customers, and uplift their people will be the ones setting the pace.
On a recent special 6-month anniversary episode of the Data & AI Mastery podcast, Dr. Raoul-Gabriel Urma joined Cambridge Spark CTO Kevin Lemagnen to explore what it truly means to lead with AI. They unpacked the strategic mindset that today’s business leaders need to adopt to make AI work for the long term. Here are the main insights you can put into practice in your business.
Strategic Thinking as Generative AI Evolves
AI has evolved rapidly, and so must the way we think about it. As Raoul points out,
“Technology has become really good, so it raises the question of how do you reimagine your workflows and your business now that technology is really good. [...] We're having to reimagine the art of the possible.”
This isn’t about adding AI to existing processes but fundamentally rethinking them. The real opportunity lies in strategic reinvention, asking the braver questions, such as ‘If we were building this business today, from the ground up, with this technology at our fingertips, what would we design differently?’
This shift in mindset is where innovation truly begins.
Rethinking Value with AI
An essential pillar of any future-proof AI strategy is value creation. Raoul distills it clearly:
“I love the value stick as a way to think about value. So you've got on one side, how do you increase delight for your customers? So you create new value for them, or you make your customer service cheaper. Those are fundamentally the only two things you can do.”
And this is where AI is already delivering value. It’s making things easier and cheaper for everyone. But the real promise of AI is in customer delight. In creating personalised, intuitive, and meaningful experiences that set your brand apart.
And that’s not something off-the-shelf tools can deliver on their own. It takes investment. It takes a deeper understanding of your customers. And it takes customised AI solutions.
AI Strategy Is Business Strategy
AI is not a separate initiative. It’s not a department. It’s not a phase.
It’s your business, evolving.
Raoul explains, “AI touched every role, every organisation. It's one of those transformative technologies. You have to be on board. If you're not, then you're basically saying, I don't want to be able to compete; I don't want to be able to keep up. You're not going to have a business. So every leader out there needs to be educated around what the technology can do for the organisations.“
Gone are the days when AI was an IT project. Today, it’s everyone’s business because it affects everything: hiring, operations, product development, and customer relationships. That’s why every leader must be equipped to lead in the age of AI. You don’t need to code, but you need to ask the right questions, set the right priorities, and make the right investments.
Tech Alone Won’t Be Enough
Finally, technology might kick-start the transformation, but people drive it home.
As Raoul reminds us, “We can all get really excited about technology investment, but you're never going to deliver impact unless you bring people along the journey. [...] To deliver a transformation, specifically to deliver on your AI transformation with the promise of productivity, ROI, and speed, you've got to bring people along the journey. You’ve got to think about your culture, you’ve got to think about change management, and you’ve got to think about upskilling or reskilling.”
Without people on board, even the most promising AI strategy will fall short. Real transformation happens when technology and human potential move forward together.
A Trusted Partner for the Future of Work
At Cambridge Spark, we help organisations unlock the true potential of AI by putting people at the centre of transformation.
Whether you're looking to upskill your workforce, build a long-term AI capability, or explore how this technology can transform your business, we’re here to help. Our expert programmes are designed to deliver real-world impact, equipping your workforce with the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to thrive in the age of AI.