Summary
The focus of AI in business is shifting from building larger models to inference—the deployment of trained AI systems to draw real-time conclusions from data. UK inference market growth is projected to expand from $1.2 billion in 2025 to $7.5 billion by 2030, with regional digital infrastructure closer to users becoming critical as data interactions multiply.
Leaders emphasise that most organisations have piloted AI but few have fundamentally changed operations. The real opportunity lies in embedding AI as autonomous agents within workflows rather than treating it as a standalone tool—a shift requiring documented processes, trustworthy data, clear governance frameworks and staff skilled in process redesign rather than prompt-writing.
Consulting and data-intensive sectors face distinct challenges: IT consultants must use AI to free capacity for strategic client advice rather than routine delivery, whilst organisations handling sensitive data—like UK Biobank—must balance innovation with security through frameworks like research 'airlocks' that enable controlled access without compromising trust or protection.
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Common questions
- What is this article about?
- Manchester Digital's MD Future 26 conference brings together tech leaders to discuss emerging technologies shaping business strategy. Contributors highlight AI inference, process automation, consulting transformation and secure data innovation as key priorities for organisations preparing for the next phase of technology adoption.
- When was this published?
- This article was published on 18 September 2026.
- Who published this article?
- This article was published by Manchester Digital.