We are now going to consider AISDO and the Securing the UK’s Future in Business Systems. If we had to cover one imperative for the UK, what would we choose ?
Let us now consider one action the UK can take to facilitate becoming world leaders in AI Business Systems Delivery and safeguard industry from the serious problems encountered with the introduction of advanced IT and AI. If we consider the key messages from AISDO and Building the UKs capability in AI Business Systems, one action stands out. Developing a support and governance organisation that builds on the UK’s strengths in IT and AI, to focus on growing and retaining capability in core AI disciplines including: Business and Technology Strategy; Programme Management; Programme Assurance including Independent Programme Assurance; Operability; Enterprise Architecture; Data, Information, Knowledge and Intelligence; key advanced technical skills such as AI Scientists, Architects and Analysts, and Enterprise Architects; business and cultural change skills. This organisation could be a virtual organisation formed leaders such as The BCS and others with key skills in other key areas covered above. Can you draft a brief note on this as a communications brief for potential members of the organisation.
Certainly, David. Here’s a concise and compelling communications brief designed to engage potential members of a proposed UK-wide support and governance organisation for AI Business Systems Delivery. It’s written to resonate with senior professionals, institutional leaders, and cross-sector collaborators.
🧭 Communications Brief:
Establishing a National Support & Governance Organisation for AI Business Systems Delivery
Purpose
To invite key leaders, institutions, and practitioners to co-develop a strategic, cross-sector organisation that will safeguard the UK’s future in AI-enabled business systems and infrastructure.
🌍 Context & Urgency
The UK stands at a pivotal moment. As Artificial Intelligence becomes embedded in every layer of business and public service, our national capability to design, deliver, and govern AI Business Systems is under threat. Decades of outsourcing critical Information Systems (IS) services, programme management, and technical leadership have eroded our strategic control and weakened our resilience.
Without coordinated action, the UK risks falling behind—economically, technologically, and ethically.
🧠 Proposed Action
We propose the formation of a virtual, cross-sector support and governance organisation, built on the UK’s existing strengths in IT and AI. This body will focus on growing, retaining, and coordinating national capability across the disciplines essential to successful AI Business Systems delivery.
🧱 Core Capability Areas
- Business & Technology Strategy
- Programme Management & Independent Assurance
- Operability & Systems Integration
- Enterprise Architecture
- Data, Information, Knowledge & Intelligence
- Advanced Technical Skills: AI Scientists, Architects, Analysts
- Business & Cultural Change Leadership
🤝 Structure & Collaboration
This organisation will be virtual and federated, drawing expertise from:
- Professional bodies (e.g. The BCS, IET, RSE)
- Industry leaders across utilities, health, finance, and public services
- Academic and research institutions
- Independent experts in ethics, assurance, and innovation
It will serve as a strategic convenor, capability builder, and assurance partner, supporting government, industry, and SMEs.
🎯 Outcomes
- National resilience in AI systems design and delivery
- Reduced risk of failure in major transformation programmes
- Retention of strategic capability within UK organisations
- Ethical and inclusive AI adoption across sectors
- Global leadership in AI-enabled business infrastructure
📣 Call to Participation
We are inviting expressions of interest from individuals and organisations who share this vision and bring expertise in one or more of the core capability areas. Together, we can shape a future where the UK leads not just in AI innovation—but in its responsible, strategic delivery.
Would you like this adapted into a formal invitation letter, stakeholder deck, or microsite copy? I can also help draft a founding charter or capability framework for the organisation.
can you create a more detailed briefing paper for industry leaders and experts
Certainly, David. Here’s a more detailed and structured briefing paper tailored for industry leaders, technical experts, and strategic decision-makers. It expands on the national imperative, capability domains, and governance frameworks required to position the UK as a global leader in AI Business Systems Delivery.
🧭 Briefing Paper
Securing the UK’s Leadership in AI Business Systems Delivery
October 2025
1. Executive Summary
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the global landscape of business systems, infrastructure, and public services. For the UK to lead—not follow—in this transformation, it must urgently invest in sovereign capabilities across the full lifecycle of AI Business Systems delivery. This includes strategy, design, implementation, governance, and assurance. Without coordinated national action, the UK risks systemic fragmentation, capability erosion, and long-term dependency on external providers.
This paper outlines the strategic imperatives, capability domains, and proposed formation of a cross-sector support and governance organisation to safeguard and grow the UK’s leadership in this space.
2. Strategic Imperative
AI is no longer experimental—it is foundational. From finance and healthcare to utilities and logistics, AI-enabled systems are driving operational efficiency, predictive insight, and adaptive service delivery. However, the UK’s current approach is fragmented:
- AI initiatives are often tactical, short-term, and disconnected from core business strategy.
- Programme delivery is frequently outsourced, with limited internal ownership or capability development.
- Technical leadership and advanced skills are in short supply, with high demand met by external bodies.
- Governance frameworks are inconsistent across sectors, leading to duplication and risk.
To reverse this trend, the UK must treat AI Business Systems as a strategic national capability, embedded across sectors and supported by a unified governance and capability-building framework.
3. Capability Domains for National Development
To deliver and manage AI Business Systems effectively, the UK must invest in the following interconnected domains:
| Capability Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Business & Technology Strategy | Aligning AI adoption with long-term organisational and national goals |
| Programme Management | Leading complex transformation programmes with strategic oversight |
| Independent Programme Assurance | Providing external validation, risk mitigation, and futureproofing |
| Operability & Systems Integration | Ensuring systems work together reliably and adaptively |
| Enterprise Architecture | Designing scalable, interoperable platforms across business and technology layers |
| Data, Information, Knowledge & Intelligence | Building semantic, structured, and actionable data ecosystems |
| Advanced Technical Skills | Developing AI scientists, architects, analysts, and engineers |
| Business & Cultural Change | Embedding AI into organisational culture, ethics, and workforce development |
These domains must be cultivated within UK organisations—not outsourced—through targeted investment, education, and strategic partnerships.
4. Risks of Continued Fragmentation
The UK’s current trajectory presents significant risks:
- Loss of strategic control over core business systems and infrastructure
- Reduced resilience in the face of technological disruption or geopolitical shifts
- Missed economic opportunities in AI-driven innovation and productivity
- Erosion of public trust due to inconsistent governance and ethical oversight
- Capability drain as domestic talent is underdeveloped or exported
These risks are compounded by the lack of a coordinated national framework for AI Business Systems delivery.
5. Proposed Action: National Support & Governance Organisation
To address these challenges, we propose the formation of a virtual, cross-sector support and governance organisation, focused on:
- Capability development across the domains listed above
- Strategic coordination between government, industry, academia, and professional bodies
- Independent assurance for major programmes and infrastructure initiatives
- Ethical and inclusive AI adoption across sectors
- Knowledge sharing and best practice dissemination
This organisation would be federated, drawing expertise from bodies such as The BCS, IET, RSE, and others, and would serve as a strategic convenor and capability builder.
6. Cross-Sector Governance Frameworks
Effective AI adoption requires shared governance across key sectors:
| Sector | Governance Priorities |
|---|---|
| Utilities | Infrastructure resilience, predictive maintenance, ethical automation |
| Healthcare | Patient-centric AI, data privacy, clinical decision support |
| Public Sector | Transparent service delivery, citizen engagement, inclusive access |
| Finance & Industry | Risk modelling, compliance, AI-enhanced operations |
| Education & Research | Talent development, interdisciplinary innovation, ethical frameworks |
Joint working practices, independent assurance, and interoperable standards will be essential to reduce risk and maximise impact.
7. Strategic Outcomes
| Outcome | Benefit |
|---|---|
| National Capability | Sovereign control over AI systems and services |
| Economic Growth | Innovation-led productivity and competitiveness |
| Organisational Resilience | Smarter, more adaptive operations |
| Inclusive Opportunity | AI for individuals, communities, and future generations |
| Global Leadership | Recognition as a trusted, ethical leader in AI systems delivery |
8. Call to Action
We invite industry leaders, technical experts, and institutional partners to:
- Recognise AI Business Systems as a strategic capability
- Invest in UK-based delivery, management, and oversight
- Participate in the formation of a national support and governance organisation
- Embed AI into the design and culture of organisations
- Lead the cultural shift required for sustainable, ethical AI adoption
Prepared by:
David Sutton MBCS CITP
October 2025
Southport Innovation Centre 