Successful RPA adoption requires successful adoption of the ‘Automation First’ mindset. Businesses embarking on a digital transformation journey should carefully weigh their options, align changes to their growth plans and define a clear set of strategies before taking an exploratory plunge.

To deliver value and accelerate growth, enterprises need to change their fundamental approach and add speed and accuracy to the various business processes. New digital technologies present both game-changing opportunities for and existential threats to companies whose success was built in the pre-digital economy. Digital transformation is a pre-requisite for sustainable growth and in some cases, survival of enterprises in the current dynamic and pace-driven market.

What are some of the AI related challenges and transformational possibilities we are faced with as a company delivering digital transformation for enterprises? This is the question I attempted to answer in my innovation keynote speech at AI Tech North, the first large scale AI conference in the North of England. It was truly exciting to share insights, my perspective and observations with AI enthusiasts, academics, graduates and leaders gathered in large numbers to discuss innovative technologies and data trends.

Agile Government Digital Service (GDS) framework was designed and adopted by the UK public sector to ensure a higher level of agility in their digital services development programmes. This terminology is not new for people and enterprises that are already associated with digital services market or public sector transformation initiatives in the UK.

For all enterprises and professionals involved in digital transformation projects or digital services development, it is vital to have a firm grasp on the historical background and reasons for putting in place a distinct framework.

During last month’s Leeds Digital Festival, I had the pleasure of hosting a round-table discussion on RPA entitled Robotic Process Automation: The Emperor’s New Clothes? The collective insights of my guests – senior representatives of businesses from across the north of England – made for a truly fascinating debate and I want to share the fruits of our discussion with you.