Copilot isn’t a strategy: How to industrialise AI in the enterprise
Nearform
01:00:06
Copilot has shown what AI can do for individual productivity. But AI assistants alone do not scale delivery, modernise legacy systems, or change how enterprises build software.
In this Impact talks session, QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey and Nearform look beyond tooling to what it really takes to industrialise AI in the enterprise.
Dave Kerr (QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey) explores the emerging frontier of agentic workflows operating in production, and what this shift means for delivery models, operating speed, and competitive advantage.
Nearform’s Cian Clarke & Katie Roberts will then ground that vision in today’s reality, sharing real-world lessons from brownfield systems, where teams are applying spec-driven development, senior-led AI-native practices, and AI-assisted workflows to modernise existing platforms and build intelligent systems safely.
This session is about moving from tools to repeatable, enterprise-grade delivery, without increasing risk or creating AI debt.
What you’ll take away
- What “agentic AI in production” really means
- How delivery models are evolving for intelligent systems
- How to modernise existing platforms safely using AI-assisted workflows
- The role of senior engineers in AI-native engineering teams
- How to build intelligent systems without creating AI debt
Why attend?
Because the gap between organisations using AI assistants and those engineering it into delivery is already growing. This session shows how to close it.
Speakers
Dave Kerr
Distinguished Engineer Partner, QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey
Dave Kerr is an engineer based in London and Head of Engineering at QuantumBlack Labs. He works on some of McKinsey’s largest agentic AI transformation programmes and is the technical lead for QuantumBlack’s open-source agentic AI stack.
His work focuses on building production-grade AI and software platforms, spanning agentic systems, cloud-native architecture, and modern engineering practices in complex, regulated environments.
Dave is an active open-source contributor, tech blogger, and author. Outside of work, he is a keen mountaineer and rock climber.
Cian Clarke
Head of AI, Nearform
Cian Clarke is Head of AI at Nearform, with 15 years’ experience building and scaling software across startups and large enterprises.
His work focuses on applying Generative AI, Natural Language Processing, and cloud-native architecture to real business and operational problems. Cian has led the design and deployment of trusted AI systems in highly regulated environments including banking, payments, gaming, and government. He works closely with client leadership teams to move beyond experimentation and into production—combining data, AI, and modern cloud platforms to deliver intelligent, scalable applications. Prior to Nearform, Cian was a co-founder of ServisBOT, a conversational AI company, and an early member of the FeedHenry team, acquired by Red Hat in 2014. He is an open-source advocate and has authored and contributed to multiple projects.
Outside of work, Cian is an avid sailor and coffee aficionado.
Katie Roberts
AI Native Engineering Specialist, Nearform
Katie is a Technical Director and AI-Native Engineering Specialist with over twenty years' experience leading large-scale software delivery and organisational transformation.
Her work focuses on the strategic evolution of engineering practices, moving beyond AI experimentation to enable teams to adopt AI-native ways of working at scale. Katie specialises in the socio-technical challenges of integrating AI-assisted workflows into mature, brownfield environments, where navigating legacy architecture, delivery risk, and operational stability is paramount.
She partners with senior stakeholders to introduce these practices pragmatically, focusing on measurable improvements. Her approach prioritises engineering excellence and sustainable change that enhances, rather than disrupts, existing enterprise platforms.
A lifelong maker, Katie spends her time outside of work constructing new forms from clay and textiles, or playing guitar.
Hélène Haughney
Chief Transformation Officer | Nearform (Moderator)
Hélène leads Nearform's global delivery transformation practice, bringing together clients, partners, and specialists to explore the practical side of scaling AI inside complex enterprise organisations.
Copilot isn’t a strategy: How to industrialise AI in the enterprise
01:00:06