AI adoption is outpacing governance and putting organisations at risk, expert warns

Midlands organisations are being warned that they could be exposing themselves to avoidable risk as AI adoption accelerates faster than internal controls, governance and processes can keep pace.

Paul Howard, managing director of Derby-based managed IT services provider PKF Infuse, reports a sharp rise in organisations seeking support after experiencing security incidents, integration failures or unexpected technology costs.

Meanwhile, Blake Fine, managing director of UK environmental services provider Servtron Group, observes that high growth businesses often reach a point where internal troubleshooting is no longer sustainable, prompting them to seek specialist support.

According to Paul, who has advised Midlands organisations on technology strategy for more than two decades, many businesses are now implementing AI and other emerging tools without fully understanding the implications for security and data protection or operational resilience.

Paul said: “Businesses are under pressure to adopt AI quickly, but without the right governance they risk exposing sensitive data and creating more problems than they solve.

The pace of change is accelerating every month and organisations need structures that keep them safe while still enabling innovation.”

He notes that hype‑driven experimentation is leading some organisations to invest in tools that duplicate existing functionality or introduce unnecessary complexity, a challenge particularly acute for SMEs and high‑growth businesses that lack dedicated IT teams.

Servtron Group managing director Blake Fine, whose group operates multiple businesses across the UK, says the biggest barrier to successful technology adoption is often behavioural rather than technical.

Blake said: “The hardest part of any technology project is getting people to change how they work. Once teams see the benefits, adoption accelerates, but reaching that point takes persistence and clear communication.”

Blake adds that high‑growth organisations frequently reach a point where internal troubleshooting is no longer sustainable.

He added: “As a high‑growth group, we simply don’t have the time to troubleshoot technology every two seconds. At a certain point you need specialists who can put the right systems in place and keep the whole organisation secure and running smoothly.”

Paul and Blake agree that the businesses that succeed with digital transformation typically focus on three core principles:

• Governance first – protecting data, access and processes before introducing new tools
• Process alignment – ensuring workflows are redesigned so technology enhances operations
• People engagement – securing buy‑in early and supporting teams through change

Looking ahead, Paul believes emerging technologies will fundamentally reshape how organisations access and use data: “Natural‑language access to data will be transformative.

Instead of waiting for analysts or IT teams, people will be able to ask for the information they need and get it instantly. It will fundamentally change how decisions are made.”

Both leaders agree that the future of business technology lies in enabling people to deliver higher quality work, faster decision‑making and more efficient operations, a shift that could significantly benefit the Midlands’ diverse mix of SMEs, family‑owned firms and high‑growth groups.