‘This book’s insights into AI adoption will enable Digital Leaders to survive and thrive in these turbulent times.’ Jacqueline de Rojas CBE, President, Digital Leaders

‘This book serves as an invaluable compass for anyone navigating the complex landscape of AI implementation. With clarity and insight, it demystifies the misconceptions surrounding AI, offering a pragmatic roadmap to define and execute AI programmes that deliver tangible value. The inclusion of real-world industry case studies not only breathes life into the concepts but also provides the inspiration and courage leaders need to confidently embark on the next phase of digitalization. A must-read for those seeking to thrive in the age of AI.’ — Rashik Parmar MBE FBCS, Group CEO, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

‘This is the most compelling book on how leaders can embrace AI in their organizations that I’ve encountered. It will make a great handbook for senior staff in any sector as they attempt to navigate themselves and their teams through digital transformation with AI.’ — Professor Edward Rochead, chair of the Alliance for Data Science Professionals

‘Alan Brown has created a great review of the opportunities and challenges faced by executives as they look to take advantage of AI. Packed with experience and advice, this is a book for anyone looking to make a step change in their digital leadership skills as we get ready to go into the next leg of the technology journey!’ — Christine Ashton, CIO, UKRI

‘Alan’s very practical exploration of AI in the context of digital transformation is a timely guide for organizations across all sectors.’ — David Birch, author, advisor and commentator on digital financial services

‘Based on deep experiences driving sustained organizational change, this book brings the insights you need to guide your digital strategy in the new AI era. It’s an excellent handbook for busy leaders who need to understand the true potential of AI.’ — Brigadier Stefan Crossfield, Chief Digital and Data Officer, Principal AI Officer, British Army

‘A wide ranging and compelling exploration of all the key questions that the age of AI raises for business, political and public sector leaders. Professor Brown brings his massive experience of software engineering and digital transformation to AI, illuminating the gap between the potential state of the art and the likely state of the current practice and addressing the decisions that will have to be made. A personal plea to executive leaders: please read the section on data resilience!’ — James Herbert, CEO, Pivotl

‘There are a lot of leaders out there currently daunted at the prospect of developing an AI strategy for their organization. This book is an informative, comprehensive and accessible guide to all the key issues that need to be considered when preparing to counter the threats posed and exploit the opportunities offered by this rapidly evolving technology.’ — Tony Moretta, CEO, Digital Jersey

‘This book is a “must-read” for leaders responsible for navigating the challenges and opportunities that AI brings.’ — Tim Vorley OBE, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean, Oxford Brookes Business School

‘A comprehensive view into AI’s impact and directions. A book that offers the thought-provoking insights every leader needs.’ — Dave West, CEO and Product Owner, Scrum.org

★ Alan W. Brown, Professor of the Digital Economy at the University of Exeter Business School, Fellow of the British Computer Society, former Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute, and a seasoned business leader, academic, and strategic advisor, presents his brand-new work!

★ Highly recommended by numerous world-class AI leaders and academic experts, including:
√ Professor Edward Rochead, Chair of the Alliance of Data Science Professionals (AfDSP)—a coalition of six leading organizations such as the Royal Statistical Society, the Alan Turing Institute, and the National Physical Laboratory—and Chief Mathematician at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory;
√ Rashik Parmar MBE, Group Chief Executive of the British Computer Society (BCS), former IBM Fellow and Vice President, and IBM’s Chief Technology Officer for Europe;
√ Christine Ashton, Chief Information Officer of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), former CIO of the German software company SUSE, SAP’s Chief Digital Officer, and Senior Vice President of Technology at Thomson Reuters;
√ Tim Vorley OBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Business School at Oxford Brookes University, among others.

★ This book has been included in the “Vision” series, edited by the renowned economist Diana Coyle, former advisor to the UK Treasury, Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge, and recipient of the Order of the British Empire. She also serves as Deputy Chair of the BBC Trust (the BBC’s governing body) appointed by the Queen, a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, and a member of the Royal Economic Society.

The world is experiencing a rapid rise in the use of artificial intelligence, sparking fierce debate about its impact on both business and society. This book cuts through the noise and acts as a guide on how to survive and thrive in the age of AI. By providing an accessible collection of short, practical insights, it offers you a framework for understanding the issues and implications of AI for individuals and organizations in this time of significant digital disruption.
Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI is specifically designed for busy professionals, leaders and decision makers. It is organized to allow you to gain valuable insights quickly and on demand. Above all, the content is grounded in real-world experience and practical applications within the context of digital transformation, ensuring its relevance to everyone who is embarking on a digital journey. Most importantly, each topic concludes with thought-provoking questions and actionable steps to guide your personal exploration of AI and its implications.

Alan W. Brown
Alan W. Brown is a Professor of the Digital Economy at the University of Exeter Business School, a Fellow of the British Computer Society, and a former Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute. He is an experienced business leader, academic, and strategic advisor. His work focuses on designing digital growth strategies, championing agile approaches to digital technology adoption and business transformation, and elucidating the interplay between technology adoption and business innovation in today’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
Initially, his research centered on software engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Following roles in software delivery at Texas Instruments and Sterling Software, Alan led business development for several Silicon Valley startups until their successful exits. Subsequently, he served as an IBM Distinguished Engineer in both the United States and Europe for five years, where he spearheaded enterprise strategy initiatives for some of IBM’s largest clients.
Later, Alan co-founded the Surrey Centre for the Digital Economy (CoDE) at the University of Surrey, leading four EPSRC-funded research projects. He has since transitioned this work into his current role as Professor of Digital Economics at the University of Exeter. In March 2021, he became Director of a £11 million UK national research center dedicated to exploring digital transformation in Large Established Organizations (LEOs), successfully guiding the center through its inaugural year. In the summer of 2022, he shifted his focus to lead the Defence Data Research Centre (DDRC), a £4 million research initiative funded by DSTL that investigates artificial intelligence and data science in the defense sector.
Alan’s research has had a significant impact, and he frequently delivers keynote speeches at major events on topics ranging from software engineering and systems design to digital business transformation. He provides consulting services to clients across the public and private sectors, including Zoetis, Mars, the National Audit Office of the United Kingdom, Centrica, SAP, Siemens, Thales, and various UK government agencies. Additionally, Alan is a Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS). From 2019 to 2023, he was a Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for AI and data science. He was also recognized by apolitical.co as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Global Digital Government” in 2018.
Alan has published six books and numerous scholarly articles. His most recent works include “Achieving Digital Transformation: A Manager’s Guide to the Digital Revolution” and “Digital Economy Briefs: Critical Reflections on Successfully Navigating Digital Transformation in Turbulent Times.”