E207 ‘Integrating AI into Business Strategies’ with Expleo Group’s Rebecca Keenan

Today’s guest is  Rebecca Keenan, Global Head of Intelligent Automation at Expleo Group. In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, companies are constantly seeking ways to leverage artificial intelligence and automation to enhance productivity and solve complex problems. In today’s podcast, Rebecca shares her insights on the transformative power of AI and the importance of strategic implementation in organisation’s today.

Rebecca’s journey into the world of intelligent automation and AI began a decade ago after graduating from Trinity College. Over time, her passion for combining technology and business grew, leading her to Expleo, where she initially joined the graduate programme. Her career trajectory illustrates a natural progression from Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to AI, emphasising the importance of leveraging adjacent technologies like OCR and chatbots to address client needs. Throughout her journey, the goal has always been the same: to solve problems using technology.

Frequently brought into boardrooms, Rebecca finds herself addressing the challenge many companies face: how to effectively adopt AI. While the desire to innovate is strong, many organisations struggle with the practical steps. Rebecca emphasises the importance of understanding what AI can do for an organisation, noting that successful adoption often hinges on aligning technology with clear business goals to provide tangible benefits like efficiency and cost savings.

Rebecca discusses the foundation required for successful AI implementation, which includes analysing existing tech stacks and focusing on small, incremental improvements. The episode also touches on the importance of governance and regulation, especially when handling sensitive data and offers insights on how to prioritise tasks within an AI program. Rebecca highlights that effective AI leadership involves more than just budget approvals; it necessitates hands-on involvement from executives to truly understand AI’s capabilities.

According to Rebecca, AI should be viewed as a capability rather than a project. She advocates for developing a business’ AI literacy through education programs and strategic workshops. By doing so, businesses prepare their teams, ease common friction points in processes and ultimately deliver better customer experiences. This foundation allows companies to make informed, data-driven decisions that align with both internal and customer strategies.

Reflecting on the Expleo Business Transformation Index, now in its sixth year, it’s evident that AI has shifted from a niche to a mainstream focus. Rebecca notes a slowdown in transformation budgets, a shift that indicates a strategic realignment rather than a lack of ambition. Organisations are challenged to be more effective and prudent in how they implement and manage AI transformations in a world marked by unpredictability.

Navigating the complexities of AI and automation requires careful consideration, strategic partnerships and a commitment to ongoing education and adaptation. Through candid discussions, insights from industry leaders like Rebecca Keenan provide valuable guidance on how companies can harness AI to drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency and maintain a competitive edge.