Founders HR’s Post

‘The UK has to choose to be successful’ So said Entrepreneur First Founder Matt Clifford on a podcast last year. Yesterday his ‘AI Opportunities’ report came out, commissioned by the UK Government. With 50 recommendations … ‘The AI Opportunities Action Plan envisions a UK where AI drives economic growth, enhances public services, and secures strategic global influence. By creating world-class AI infrastructure, fostering innovation, and developing homegrown champions, the UK aims to: * Achieve sustained economic growth, positioning itself as a leader among G7 nations. * Transform public services to deliver seamless, citizen-focused experiences. * Attract global AI talent and capital, strengthening the UK’s AI ecosystem. * Ensure the UK remains at the forefront of AI development, governance, and safety. The plan concludes with a call for bold, immediate action and long-term commitment, emphasising the transformative potential of AI to shape the future of the UK’s economy and society.’ It is an encapsulation of what we need to do to ‘choose to be successful’. IF the Government leans into this report and wholeheartedly pushes it, it WILL be transformational. If we don’t, then lights out. You might as well join the noisy oiks on here moaning about ‘no wonder everyone wants to leave the UK’. We don’t need them. We need everyone who understands what this report is aiming at and how to achieve it. Believe it or not we are very well placed to thrive in an AI mediated world. This IS the opportunity. Let’s not hold back. It’s a moment in time. We MUST seize it.

🚀 The Transformative Power of AI Funding 🚀 In recent years, AI has not just been a buzzword but a cornerstone for economic growth, innovation, and reshaping the job market. Here's how: Economic Growth: AI is set to contribute trillions to the global economy, with countries like the U.S. and China poised for significant GDP boosts by 2030. The finance sector alone is expected to double its AI investment by 2027, aiming for a 29% compound annual growth rate. Innovation through Startups: With AI funding in the U.S., Europe, and Israel projected to reach $79.2 billion in 2024, we're witnessing a golden age for AI startups. This funding isn't just about growth; it's about sustainability, with a marked investor preference for startups with viable business models. Job Market Evolution: AI's impact on jobs is dual-edged - automation is balanced by the creation of new roles. Initiatives like Google.org's $75 million AI Opportunity Fund aim to skill up over one million Americans, preparing the workforce for an AI-centric future. Geopolitical and Regulatory Influence: The race for AI supremacy is also a geopolitical one, with the U.S. needing to stay ahead through strategic funding and regulation. The conversation around AI governance is as crucial as the technology itself, focusing on safety, ethics, and inclusivity. Challenges Ahead: While the influx of funding has propelled AI forward, we must tackle challenges like equitable access, job displacement, and ethical AI use. The sustainability of this funding trend also hinges on moving from hype to practical, profitable applications. AI funding is not just shaping technology but our society's future. How are you preparing for this AI-driven era? #AI #Innovation #TechFuture #EconomicGrowth #JobMarket

The social economy represents 7% of global GDP, and generative AI could add between $182 billion and $308 billion in value annually to the sector. How can social innovators better understand, access and deploy this technology? New Report: AI for Impact - The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Social Innovation from the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with EY, Microsoft and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. #ai #artificialintelligence #generativeai #genai #LLMs #machinelearning #tech4good #socialinnovation #disruptivetechnologies #digitaldoisruption #digitaltransformation Paidi O Reilly Prof. Dr. Ingrid Vasiliu-Feltes Martin Moeller Aaron Lax Richard Turrin Sally Eaves Irene Lyakovetsky🎧🎙 Dr. Martha Boeckenfeld Ian Jones Nicolas Babin Mike Flache Dr. Marcell Vollmer Enrico Molinari Dinis Guarda Efi Pylarinou Franco Ronconi Imtiaz Adam Dr. Monika Sonu Neville Gaunt 💡⚡️ Dr. Khulood Almani🇸🇦 د.خلود المانع Olivier Kenji Mathurin Birgul COTELLI, Ph. D. Nafis Alam Patrick Maroney Phillip J Mostert 🇿🇦 Orlando Francisco F. Reis Dr. Debashis Dutta Prof.Dr. Dominique J.E. Delporte - Vermeiren, PhD. Knut Jägersberg Olivier LABORDE Eveline Ruehlin Amna Usman Chaudhry Devesh Khanna Per Brogaard Berggren Avrohom Gottheil Alberto Espinosa Machado

In the galaxy of Canadian entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence emerges as the Force—a powerful ally that can transform businesses into competitive powerhouses. Much like the Jedi harness their abilities, businesses must wield AI strategically to unlock its full potential. (and, yes, I will continue to tie in my love of Star Wars in my posts) AI is no mere droid; it’s a versatile tool that can: Boost efficiency by automating repetitive tasks. Punch it Chewy! Predict market trends like a Jedi senses the Force. Enhance customer experiences, turning frustrations into seamless interactions. Yet, according to the Business Development Corporation of Canada (BDC) research only 9% of Canadian businesses have taken this leap by adopting AI solutions, leaving a significant opportunity untapped. Here is the link to the report—https://lnkd.in/euwfvjaQ Okay, no more Star Wars. 😉 My advice to everyone and not just business owners is to become curious about the technology. Ultimately, AI is an amazing business tool that if adopted, as it should, will provide business efficiencies and other advantages. Business owners need to have a good understanding of where AI fits in their business and develop an AI strategy that supports the strategic plan. Business owners should also take time to really understand their own key pain points in the business as these could be the opportunities to apply AI. Here are a couple more things to consider: Probably the most important item is understanding your data. What data is being captured? How is it stored? Is the data of high quality? Secure? Consider the cost to benefit/impact with prepackaged solutions and custom built AI solutions. Be open-minded to new technology and try to create a culture of innovation that empowers employees to experiment. (Fear is a big challenge when adopting new technology, especially AI) To close this post, I will leave you with motivating words of wisdom from Yoda, “Do or do not, there is no try.” (Sorry had to add one more Star Wars reference in) Picture courtesy of my poor prompting via ChatGPT, "Create me a picture of a business owner frustrated." Make more realistic *3. 😊

"Brace yourselves, AI enthusiasts! According to the latest industry reports, global AI investment hit a staggering $93.5 billion in 2022, a remarkable 20% increase year-over-year. But as the EU scrambles to roll out its sweeping AI regulations, startups are left wondering - can they survive the tightening grip of compliance? 🤔 This AI regulatory conundrum is redefining the landscape for tech innovators. On one hand, the EU's push for ethical AI aims to protect citizens and foster responsible innovation. Yet, startups often operate on tight budgets and need the agility to quickly adapt to market demands. Can they reconcile these seemingly contradictory priorities? The surprising answer? Savvy startups are finding ways to turn the AI regulations into a competitive advantage. By proactively embedding ethical principles and robust governance frameworks, they're not only meeting compliance but also building trust with wary consumers. And let's not forget the productivity boost that comes from automating repetitive tasks with AI-powered tools - a game-changer for resource-strapped teams. So, fellow entrepreneurs, don't let the AI regulatory maze intimidate you. Embrace it as an opportunity to stand out, innovate responsibly, and future-proof your business. After all, the most successful companies are the ones that adapt quickly and leverage technology to transform challenges into opportunities. Ready to navigate the AI landscape with confidence? Drop me a message, and let's explore how you can harness the power of automation to drive your business forward. 💪 #AI #Automation #Productivity #StartupLife #EURegulations"

AI in PE operations. Taboo? I’ve been thinking about how AI is starting to shape our industry. Pretty sure we all do. And here’s an analogy that came to my mind: our firm is like a wine cellar, filled with rare vintages—each investment with its own unique story, risks, and potential. Now imagine a new addition to the team: an AI sommelier. He doesn’t take vacations, doesn’t forget trends, can evaluate a wine’s bouquet, body, and finish in the blink of an eye—kind of like how a seasoned finance professional analyzes market data, company financials, and industry shifts. I’ve seen firsthand how AI can be a game-changer, no need to dwell on it. But here’s where it gets interesting. Can AI really replace the intuition of an experienced investor? Can it understand the subtle flavors of a company’s culture or the full-bodied potential of a visionary leader? Picture this: AI suggests you a bold, young startup that doesn’t exactly match your usual tastes. It has the data to back it up, but you’re not sure you can trust it. Or you have a gut feeling about an investment—one you thought would age beautifully—but AI predicts it would flop. In those moments, what would you decide to trust? The truth is, it’s all about balance. I’m all for using AI to handle the heavy lifting—sifting through opportunities, analyzing data, and spotting trends—but when it comes down to it, our experience, our judgment, and yes, our gut feel are still essential for making that final call. I’ve learned that no matter how advanced AI gets, it still can’t replace the human touch—whether it’s understanding the nuance of a startup’s culture or building relationships with founders. So, is AI in PE a threat? Absolutely not. It’s more like a high-tech decanter that helps the investment “breathe,” revealing its full potential. The real question is how we integrate it into our process without losing that personal, human touch. I’d love to hear your thoughts. How’s your firm using AI? Is it helping refine your approach, or are you more cautious about letting it near your most prized investments? Let’s talk.   #PrivateEquity #AIinFinance #InvestmentStrategy #AIInnovation

One of if not the most important ways we can use AI. The potential for AI in social innovation is boundless. Read this paper to see how AI can contribute to social innovation. #ai #artificialintelligence #generativeai #techforgood #socialinnovation #disruptivetechnologies #digitaldisruption #technews

𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙖 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙎𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝘼𝙄 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙚𝙨? 🌐 In our latest recap from the Scale AI ALL IN conference, we explore how Canadian AI founders from companies like Mappedin, BrainBox AI, Airudi, and Videns Analytics are navigating the challenges of scaling in the AI space. With thought-provoking insights from leaders like Hongwei Liu and Sam Ramadori, the discussion dives deep into the hurdles Canadian companies face, especially around commercialization and IP ownership. Will Canada find a way to bridge the gap? What are your thoughts on the future of Canadian AI? Share your opinions in the comments below! ⬇️ #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #CanadianTech #Innovation #ScaleAI #TechConference #TechScaling #Entrepreneurship

AI adoption in SMEs. It's DO or DIE! 💀 The time is now. Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending small Enterprises, Big Impact meet-up. Hosted by techUK it was a really interesting event. With some great speakers such as Lucy Rigby MP Martin McTague OBE Georgi Rollings Jonathan Cowan Nick Williams there were some really interesting debates. One of the common themes was that SMEs 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 to adopt AI and digital transformation before they get left behind. 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: - Low risk appetite. - Previous horror stories - Lack of understanding around AI and it's potential Strangely the theme didn't seem to be lack of funds. It was more an SMEs concern over the opportunity cost The time it takes The potential risk of a failed project We need to somehow change the narrative around this. Especially if the UK wants to compete on a global scale. 𝗦𝗠𝗘𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗢𝗪 It's no good saying 'we are good thanks' and continuing business as usual. You WILL get left behind. #digitaltransformation #AI #SMEs #tech #growth Philip Salter Stuart Miller

Great AI alone won't unlock success. Knowing your playing field is also a strategic necessity. Here's why: In AI, understanding the patent landscape is a gamechanger.  But not just to make nervous legal advisors happy - I’m talking about SIX CONCRETE COMMERCIAL ADVANTAGES for your AI business: ❶ RISK MITIGATION: Steer clear of potential distractions and legal entanglements. ❷ INVESTOR CONFIDENCE: Show them your market intelligence, risk awareness, and strategic foresight. ❸ PARTNERSHIPS: Identify potential collaborators or acquisition interest based on complementary portfolios or possible synergies. ❹ COMPETITIVE INSIGHTS: Uncover where you stand versus competitors, identifying possible gaps and areas for differentiation, to enhance your unique market position. ❺ MARKET DYNAMICS: Reveal unseen industry trends, so you can anticipate shifts to ensure your offering will be relevant and impactful. ❻ INNOVATION CATALYST: Inspire new ideas and approaches, to spark your own creativity (…just don’t forget ❶ above). Even if you opt not to file your own patents, overlooking others’ patents is neither a sound business practice nor a long-term success strategy. Free, online tools like ESPACENET offer what you need to kickstart this process. You can start even right now… 😉 _______ 📈 IP is for business, not just lawyers. Find out why, with SCALE AI's 𝐈𝐏𝐖𝐇𝐘. Essential information 🎯 for #AI startups and SMEs. 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐢.𝐜𝐚/𝐈𝐏𝐖𝐇𝐘 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐢.𝐜𝐚/𝐏𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐢𝐏𝐈 #IA #IPWhy #CdnTech SCALE AI | Canada's AI Global Innovation Cluster