A successful AI demonstration is a starting point. For a large organisation, the next challenge is making it work across teams, established systems and everyday decisions. Leaders need to know who owns the process, how outputs are checked and whether the change delivers useful results.
The Best Application of AI in a Large Enterprise category at AI Awards 2026 includes Mark Anthony Brands International, Musgrave Group, Novartis and unum.
These profiles draw on the official finalist summaries. The company links provide further background; the shortlist is the source for the project descriptions.
Category sponsor: Best Application of AI in a Large Enterprise is sponsored by Microsoft, Principal Sponsor of AI Awards 2026.
Meet the finalists
Mark Anthony Brands International
Mark Anthony Brands International’s Content Factory combines governed generative AI, predictive analysis and oversight to support the creation, testing and delivery of marketing assets across its brands.
Visit Mark Anthony Brands International.
Musgrave Group
Musgrave’s AI and Automation Factory brings automation, Microsoft Copilot, training and internally built AI products together, with governance and delivery practices supporting adoption across its retail businesses.
Novartis
Novartis’s Survey Intelligence Platform combines structured data modelling and generative AI to interpret clinical trial feasibility surveys, supporting information review, site selection and trial planning.
Find out more about Novartis Ireland.
unum
unum’s Small Market Big Bet uses multi-agent orchestration to connect legacy insurance systems across quoting, onboarding, enrolment and administration, with development involving its Irish technology team.
Explore Unum’s technology team in Ireland.
What should leaders test before expanding AI?
The following questions are AI Ireland’s editorial recommendations. They are not an assessment of the finalists’ results. They offer a practical way to review an enterprise AI programme before extending its reach.
Does faster production lead to useful output?
For a content workflow, count approved, usable assets rather than generated drafts. Include the time spent checking accuracy, brand suitability and permissions. Agree the approval process before increasing volume, and compare the full production cycle with the existing approach.
Can another team repeat the result?
An effective pilot may depend on a few experienced people. Before extending it, document the process, training and support needed by the next team. Give staff a clear way to report errors. A useful test is whether a new user can complete the task reliably without the pilot team beside them.
Can a reviewer trace an insight back to the evidence?
Where AI summarises information for a consequential decision, the reviewer should be able to inspect the original material. Test whether missing, conflicting or outdated information remains visible. Define what the system can assist with and what requires a qualified person’s judgement.
What happens when a connected workflow fails?
Connecting established systems can introduce dependencies between steps. Map what happens if a source is unavailable, a record is incomplete or an action is rejected. Set clear approval boundaries and a recovery process. Test the exceptions alongside the routine journey.
Review the programme through the 5Ps
For a leadership discussion, use the 5Ps to turn a broad AI ambition into specific decisions:
- People: Who owns the outcome, and what support do users need?
- Process: Which task changes, and where does approval sit?
- Platforms: Which systems must connect, and who supports them?
- Proprietary Data: Is the information suitable, current and available only to authorised users?
- Products & Services: What improves for the customer or colleague?
Choose a small set of measures before rollout. These could include completion time, correction rates, review effort and successful customer outcomes. Record the starting position and include operating costs. Expand when the evidence supports it, and change course when it does not.
Recognition and evidence
AI Ireland organises the AI Awards. This article combines published finalist descriptions with our editorial analysis. Shortlisting is not independent verification of performance claims.
Read the full AI Awards 2026 shortlist or explore our earlier article on AI in small and medium-sized enterprises.
See practical AI in action
Join us at AI Awards 2026 to celebrate the organisations and people putting AI to work.
Want to bring these lessons to your organisation?
Discover more from AI Ireland
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
