The Hype is Familiar – but This Time, It Might Stick
Nicola Millard, Principal Innovation Partner at BT, kicked off the conversation with a historical perspective on AI’s long history of inflated promises.
From the hyped expert systems of the 1990s to the transformative potential of today’s generative models, Millard observed that while AI has often underdelivered in the past, the current convergence of abundant data, hardware power, and advanced algorithms is enabling real-world applications.
This shift, from novelty to utility, might finally turn AI’s potential into substantial, lasting impact.
“The hype is here to stay, because AI is genuinely becoming useful.”
– Nicola Millard, BT Group
A Divided Landscape of Adoption
Professor Sue Turner OBE, founder of AI Governance Limited and a Professor in Practice at the University of Bristol, highlighted the uneven adoption of AI tools across industries. Many are unsure how to begin, while others are charging ahead without adequate reflection. Turner emphasised the need for digital confidence and ethical clarity, pointing out that the divide is not just technical but philosophical. She underscored the importance of fostering trust and equipping organisations with the tools to navigate this complex terrain.
“The hype is here to stay, because AI is genuinely becoming useful.”
– Nicola Millard, BT Group
A Divided Landscape of Adoption
Professor Sue Turner OBE, founder of AI Governance Limited and a Professor in Practice at the University of Bristol, highlighted the uneven adoption of AI tools across industries. Many are unsure how to begin, while others are charging ahead without adequate reflection. Turner emphasised the need for digital confidence and ethical clarity, pointing out that the divide is not just technical but philosophical. She underscored the importance of fostering trust and equipping organisations with the tools to navigate this complex terrain.
“Just because we can doesn’t mean we should”
– Sue Turner OBE, AI Governance Limited
Innovation Meets Regulation
Ben Metcalfe, Head of Electronics and Electrical Engineering at the University of Bath, and co-founder of the Bath Institute for the Augmented Human, illustrated the tension between medical innovation and regulation. His work with implanted neurotechnologies shows immense potential. It is restoring function, independence, and quality of life, but often fails to reach patients because regulation doesn’t accommodate low-volume, high-impact devices. When compliance costs outweigh market viability, innovation risks being diverted to less regulated consumer or defence markets.
Metcalfe also noted a worrying trend: regulatory escape, where devices designed for healthcare end up being commercialised elsewhere to avoid compliance hurdles – potentially compromising safety and long-term viability. His insights stressed the need for frameworks that support innovation without sacrificing ethical standards.
“We need to evaluate not just what we create, but why we create it.”
– Ben Metcalfe, Bath Institute for the Augmented Human
AI’s Quiet Revolution in Healthcare
Mike Conjoice of Bupa Dental Care UK shared how AI is reshaping healthcare in understated yet transformative ways. From easing the administrative burden on frontline staff to enhancing patient experiences, Conjoice emphasised that the real gains aren’t flashy, they’re foundational. These are tools that help people do their jobs better, reduce burnout, and improve patient experiences.
Conjoice echoed the ethical imperative that technology must support, not replace, human care, serving as a tool to enhance rather than diminish the humanity of healthcare.