AI Readiness Podcast

We've officially made it to double digits — and we haven’t been cancelled yet.

In this special compilation episode, Lucy and Andrew look back at the best (and most chaotic) moments from the first 10 episodes of AI Readiness.

But this isn’t just a blooper reel.

It’s a behind-the-scenes tour of what’s really been going on in the world of AI culture, adoption, and capability.

We explore why dropping Copilot into people’s laps doesn’t mean they’ll actually use it — or trust it. Culture, support and context matter more than rollout.

You’ll hear how poor communication and lack of inclusion can quietly sabotage AI adoption before it’s even begun.

We talk about the shift that happens when people go from “I don’t get this” to “I actually love this.”

The before-and-after of real AI literacy is kind of magic.

We get into the emotional blockers (especially for women) around using AI — and how guilt is holding people back from using tools that could transform their work.

Yes, we had a conversation with a digital coach. Yes, it got weird. Yes, it’s in the episode.

You’ll finally understand the origin of the “bananas” outburst — and why Rich might be the real star of the show.

You’ll hear how the iconic AI Readiness music came to life… and how close we came to something truly awful.

• “Surely AI is a plug-and-play tool?”
• “Why is everyone else getting this and I’m not?”
• “Can we please make AI less serious for a second?”

Drop a comment, send us a message, or shout “bananas” at the next client meeting.

We’re still not cancelled. And we’re still just getting started.

In this milestone 10th episode of the AI Readiness Podcast, Lucy and Andrew celebrate reaching double digits while diving into a rich conversation about the latest in AI tools, practical use cases, and the cultural shifts needed for adoption. From ChatGPT 4.5's newest features to the heated debate around AI-authored writing, they bring their signature wit and insight to bear on the real challenges facing organisations right now.

Special guest Mark Brewster, CEO and Founder of Explori, joins the conversation to share how his global SaaS business has embedded AI from both a technical and cultural perspective. His candid take on trust, experimentation, compliance, and long-term value offers a playbook for any leader looking to make AI stick.

Mark Brewster is the CEO and founder of Explori, a global SaaS company specialising in performance metrics and benchmarking within the events industry. With over 13 years of experience, Mark has led Explori through the evolution of AI, building trust-based internal systems while embedding cutting-edge large language models directly into their platform to drive client value and save thousands of hours in labour.

• ChatGPT 4.5 in the Wild: Enhanced memory, better reasoning, and image processing – but has it wowed users yet?
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• Authenticity vs. Efficiency in AI Writing: When does AI-written content cross the line – or does it?
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• Onboarding Reinvented with AI: Legal firms are reimagining welcome journeys through CEO videos, chatbots and culture-focused content.
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• From 1 to 10 Hours Saved per Week: Why some teams gain more than others from AI training programmes.
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• Explori’s AI Strategy: How Mark Brewster built an in-house AI engine that delivers scalable value, compliance, and internal trust.
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Mark shares that Explori adopted AI back in 2019 to address labour-intensive tasks like thematic text analysis. Initially leveraging third-party tools, the business later transitioned to a fully integrated LLM-based solution to scale efficiency across their SaaS platform. The result: enhanced consistency, reduced human error, and greater job satisfaction.

Mark highlights that the leadership team was already seeking solutions, which eased adoption. Cultural resistance was minimal due to the existing alignment around solving recurring problems with data processing. The biggest hurdle? Ensuring airtight compliance and data security.

Explori created a robust internal AI policy, guided by their in-house data compliance experts. They clearly defined where freedom to experiment was allowed and where data-related caution was non-negotiable. This clarity empowered team members to explore generative AI tools responsibly.

Mark personally uses ChatGPT daily, particularly for strategic thinking, communications, and learning. Perplexity is gaining traction across the team too, praised for its research capability and citation-led answers.

Mark urges smaller businesses to move quickly: “The ship has sailed.” Delaying AI adoption risks losing competitive advantage. If internal knowledge is lacking, he advises bringing in a specialist to help navigate safely and confidently.

Mark describes how Explori replaced...

In this episode of the AI Readiness Podcast, Andrew and Lucy tackle some hot AI topics, including China's new large language model, DeepSeek, and whether we should be worried or excited about it. They also discuss the evolving AI landscape, the impact of AI tools on human cognitive ability, and the growing competition among AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity.

A brand-new segment, "How-To", makes its debut, offering practical tips on getting better results from AI tools—this week focusing on how to communicate effectively with ChatGPT and Copilot.

• DeepSeek is a Chinese-developed AI model, which sparked concerns over data security and bias.
• The need for diversity in AI models is crucial, as most current tools are built on Western perspectives.
• Much of the fear around DeepSeek may be exaggerated, possibly even linked to financial speculation affecting Nvidia’s stock price.

• A Microsoft study suggested AI usage could reduce human cognitive ability in certain tasks.
• However, Andrew and Lucy argue that AI frees up time for higher-level strategic thinking, much like how SatNavs reduced the need for manual map reading.
• The key is to use AI as a thinking partner rather than a replacement for human intelligence.

• ChatGPT’s Deep Research Mode is now live, offering a smarter, more refined way to gather information.
• Google Gemini’s Enhanced Research Capabilities leverage Google Search, Maps, and YouTube for richer insights.
• AI Agents are slowly emerging, with tools like Gemini already acting as semi-agents in travel planning and deep research.

• Many people use ChatGPT and Copilot like Google, leading to poor-quality outputs.
• The MANAGE framework improves AI interactions:
• Map out the context.
• Aim—define what you want to achieve.
• Necessary details—provide as much info as possible.
• Align—confirm AI understands before generating content.
• Generate—let the AI create the output.
• Evolve—iterate and refine as needed.
• Using MANAGE reduces rework, saves time, and enhances accuracy.

• Lucy and Andrew introduce Episode 9.

• Should we be concerned about China’s AI model?

• Microsoft’s controversial study and why the narrative is misleading.

• Another AI model enters the mix.

• AI’s role in breaking down silos within teams.
• AI adoption in construction consultancy—real-world productivity gains.
• How AI-powered leadership development is reshaping training.

• Testing ChatGPT’s Deep Research for in-depth insights.
• Google Gemini vs Perplexity—which research tool performs better?
• The slow rise of AI Agents—how AI tools are starting to automate complex tasks.

• New segment! Practical tips for communicating with AI effectively.
• The MANAGE