In this blog, I will look at the plans Starmer shared, explain how IFS Ultimo’s vision on AI aligns to these plans, and discuss what companies like yours can do to start harnessing AI to revolutionize their operations

Starmer’s strategy

Starmer’s strategy is threefold. The UK should invest in AI infrastructure, drive AI adoption and overall establish itself as a frontrunner, by tapping “into the full potential of AI across the UK”.  Doing so, Starmer states, “[AI] has the potential to transform the lives of working people”. This perceived potential will be a huge driving force behind job creation, for as Starmer puts it the “battle for the jobs of tomorrow is happening today”.  

AI is going to play an instrumental role in society, Starmer predicts. From diagnosing diseases to infrastructure inspections and faster planning and record-keeping, the disruptive potential of AI is extraordinary. Central to this vision is the intent to drive economic growth through the use of AI. The International Monetary Fund estimates that the UK could realize a 1.5 percent productivity increase, should AI be fully embraced. 

This projection is not without its flipside. The UK is severely lagging behind when it comes to AI innovations. The US and China have taken center stage when it comes to supercomputing capacity and seem to be pushing the boundaries of AI. Furthermore, the UK has a history of exporting innovations, rather than fostering domestic growth, such as was the case when DeepMind was acquired by Google. One thing is for sure: any aspirations the UK has to becoming a global AI superpower hinge on the here and now. Immediate action is required to elevate the UK to the level of AI maker, at the risk of becoming an AI taker. 

Ultimo’s Approach

At the core of Starmer’s plans lies a desire to enable workers to spend less time doing admin and more time delivering services. This will be the big enabling factor in spurring economic growth. IFS Ultimo’s approach to AI is one of realizing immediate impact, by putting AI in the hands of those that need it most. The AI functionalities in Ultimo are built to slash the mean time to repair (MTTR), the time it takes to repair a system of machine after it has broken down. With the cost of downtime often estimated upwards of $100,000 per hour, the argument for downtime reduction also becomes a cost savings strategy.  

Ultimo’s focus on real-world use cases echoes Starmer’s call for AI to “work for working people.” At the same time Ultimo is helping optimize maintenance, it also helps reduce the administrative burden on skilled laborers. Instead of spending time on admin work, they can focus on high-value tasks. Targeted AI adoption can yield immediate and measurable benefits, while also providing the groundwork for long-term transformation.  

Lessons from the past

In a recent post on LinkedIn, IFS’ Head of External Affairs Bianca Nobilo insightfully highlighted the duality of Starmer’s plans. While Britain has contributed significantly to AI research, it must address systemic issues to lay claim to global leadership or indeed, a place at the table. Underinvestment, talent migration and a lacking AI infrastructure all contribute to the position the UK finds itself in today. Nobilo couldn’t be more right when saying that “in a global race…. standing still is not an option.” 

Actions YOU should take

While the UK has made its intentions known, Nobilo’s attest holds significant weight for organizations looking to leverage AI to achieve their business objectives. If you are serious about taking the next step towards operational excellence, here are three actions outlined in Starmer’s plan that your organization should fully embrace to stay ahead of the curve: 

  1. Foster Talent: With a new generation joining the workforce, be mindful of the kind of skillsets required to work with AI and data  
  2. Focus on Impact: Prioritize solutions that offer immediate benefit, while laying the foundation for long-term growth 
  3. Drive Adoption: AI is no longer just useful for the individual. Starmer’s announcement is testament to the fact that AI is going to play a pivotal role on the organizational, national and global level. Make sure that you are at the forefront. 

IFS Ultimo helps you realize these actions. By offering an intuitive, centralized single-source-of-truth platform, you work towards consolidating and improving the quality of your data. You benefit from immediate, actionable AI functionalities. You are growing your organization to be ready to scale up in the future. The best day to start investing in AI was yesterday. The second-best day is today. At the same time, AI is going to transform tremendously. Today’s AI is the worst version we will ever see. Make sure that you are ready for the AI revolution by investing sensibly.  

IFS Ultimo’s pragmatic approach serves as a compelling example of how to harness the power of AI for meaningful, immediate impact, while aligning with Starmer’s suggested vision of being at the forefront of the global AI landscape. 

Interested to learn what Ultimo can do for you? Schedule a demo today.

Frequently Asked Questions

IFS Ultimo is heavily investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the manifold possibilities it offers. New functionalities that make use of this exciting technology will find their way into the software on a continuous basis thanks to our rolling release structure.

Ultimo offers powerful out-of-the-box software with supreme flexibility, adjustable to your preferences. Invest in a system that can grow with your organization and your needs.

If your organization utilizes capital-intensive assets, IFS Ultimo’s best-of-breed EAM is an invaluable tool for optimizing your asset management. Ultimo excels in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, infrastructure and utility sectors.

Other blogs written by Berend Booms

Happy to help you at any time
Tina Scott Sales Director - Americas
tina.scott@ultimo.com

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