The AI Reality Check: Why Digital Foundations Still Matter
Tech Talks12 Syys 2025

The AI Reality Check: Why Digital Foundations Still Matter

Are businesses really ready for AI, or just feeling the pressure to keep up?

In this episode, Nixon Hire CIO John Whitlow delivers a clear-eyed reality check. He explains why many organisations, especially SMEs, are still stuck in the foothills of digital transformation, struggling with basics like poor data quality (where up to 80% of data is useless).

We dig into:

  • Why AI hype often outpaces digital readiness

  • The soaring demand for AI skills vs. the lack of real training

  • Why AI strategy must be organisation-wide, not just IT

  • The role of leadership and DE&I in building high-performing teams

  • Hybrid working’s rebound and the business case for sustainability

John draws on his experience moving from fractional to permanent CIO, showing how human decisions and trade-offs shape tech success far more than flashy tools.

Listen in for a grounded perspective on what it really takes to make AI work.


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Geman Bencci, founder of CodeYourFuture, on helping refugees and fixing the skills crisis.

Geman Bencci, founder of CodeYourFuture, on helping refugees and fixing the skills crisis.

A coding school for refugees. That’ll not work, will it? Client’s demands are too immediate and there are too many hurdles. German is challenging convention and building a truly inspirational organisation that has a human narrative that’s frankly moving. To find out more head over to https://codeyourfuture.io/ On the 21st of November we’re putting on another Tech Talks meetup, and recording in front of an audience. Come and meet fellow listeners and technology peers! http://bit.ly/31NFsPn

1 Marras 201933min

Our next guest is... German Bencci

Our next guest is... German Bencci

Our next guest is German Bencci, the founder of CodeYourFuture. Here is German answering 3 quick questions to whet your appetite for the pod!

31 Loka 20191min

Estelle Jackson, Global Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Lead at Poly, talks about accessibility.

Estelle Jackson, Global Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Lead at Poly, talks about accessibility.

Estelle joins the podcast to talk about her role at Poly, one she has shaped, created, and now uses to help the organisation be outward looking and inclusive. The key here is building an accessible environment where everyone can be heard. She also talks about the need to find sponsors and build a social movement. Also on the show, a ghost story for Halloween, and a chat about Netflix testing some new features on mobile thanks to TNW: https://thenextweb.com/apps/2019/10/29/netflix-is-testing-a-feature-that-lets-you-speed-up-boring-episodes/

29 Loka 201932min

Our next guest is... Estelle Jackson

Our next guest is... Estelle Jackson

Estelle Jackson is the next guest to appear on the podcast, and she's the Global Lead for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Poly!

28 Loka 201950s

Ade McCormack, Founder of the Digital Readiness Institute discusses the changing role of the CIO.

Ade McCormack, Founder of the Digital Readiness Institute discusses the changing role of the CIO.

Ade joins the podcast to talk about the changing role of the CIO; the relationships that need to be nurtured and the value a CIO offers to a modern business. How do you ensure the CEO trusts that 'toys' are not just folly, that the CFO buys into you, and that you develop the skills to remain relevant?

25 Loka 201918min

Our next guest is... Ade McCormack

Our next guest is... Ade McCormack

Our next guest is Ade McCormack, founder of the Digital Readiness Institute. We're talking about the role of the tech leader in enterprise on the pod. He's a taster of Ade ahead of the published show!

24 Loka 20191min

Sonya Barlow, founder of Like Minded Females, talks about building a community.

Sonya Barlow, founder of Like Minded Females, talks about building a community.

Sonya talks to the podcast about the challenges women face negotiating the workplace. No one teaches you how to be you, at work, whilst you’re a student. She discussed community building, becoming aware of her own biases, creating the right content that has a positive effect on mental health, and listening! If you want to join her community follow her here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/like-minded-females/

22 Loka 201934min

Our next guest is... Sonya Barlow

Our next guest is... Sonya Barlow

Our next guest is Sonya Barlow, founder of Like Minded Females. Sonya is building a community to support women, and here is a snippet to help you tune in to the full show!

21 Loka 20192min