The Future Is Now: Lessons from AI for Your Organisation with Alan King

On 30 September 2025, The Brew hosted an inspirational workshop with Alan King, exploring how artificial intelligence is changing the way that we work. Members of The Brew have access to regular events and workshops, helping to strengthen our co-working community. AI remains a hot topic in many professions, and our members had the opportunity to quiz an expert on how best to incorporate technology into their work.

Alan is the founder of AI-Your-Org, former Head of Global Membership Strategy and AI at IMechE, host of the AI Evolution podcast, and author of Harnessing the Power of AI in Organisations. With a background in electronics and tech strategy, Alan brings over two decades of experience in helping businesses understand and leverage emerging technologies.

He believes AI should be your co-pilot, helping you work smarter, faster, and more creatively. He is passionate about demystifying AI so that it becomes an accessible and empowering tool for teams of all sizes.

Here’s a summary of the key insights from his talk and what they mean for business leaders in 2025 and beyond.

A Brief History of AI: From Algorithms to Awareness

Over the past 40 years, we’ve seen three major technological shifts: the desktop computer, the internet, and mobile computing. Alan argues that AI is the next great leap.

Key breakthroughs include:

• 2015: Deep learning algorithms achieved human-level performance in some domains.
• 2017: Google’s Transformer architecture enabled models to process language in context, essentially enabling them to “read.”
• 2022: OpenAI’s general language models (like ChatGPT) went public, democratising AI capabilities worldwide.

What are Large Language Models?

Large Language Models (LLMs) – like GPT-4, Claude, or Gemini – are massive neural networks trained on trillions of words.

Alan compared them to the human brain:

• An LLM has approximately 175 billion parameters, whereas the brain contains around 86 billion neurons.
• Yet, humans benefit from sensory experiences, providing a richer understanding of the world. AI compresses language efficiently but still lacks our embodied, sensory context.

How AI Actually Works

Alan broke down the technical side in simple terms we could all follow:

• Transformers predict the next word in a sentence – that’s how they generate text.
• Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF) aligns AI with human values.
• Temperature settings control creativity vs precision.
• Prompt engineering and fine-tuning shape how helpful or imaginative the outputs are.
• Memory simulation allows ongoing, contextual conversations.

It’s not just about data – it’s about how you guide the model.

Where We Are Now: AI Everywhere

AI is quietly becoming part of our daily tools, through apps like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Sora, Synthesia, and SlidesAI.

These tools are transforming how we:

• Serve customers and stakeholders
• Develop products faster
• Empower employees to focus on creativity instead of repetition

AI represents a fundamental shift in how we work, not necessarily an upgrade.

Success depends on:

• Developing a new mindset beyond traditional IT.
• Collaborating across departments.
• Redesigning processes, products, and services through an AI lens.

The “AI Your Org” Methodology

Alan closed with a structured roadmap for companies starting their AI journey:

1. Assessment & Readiness:
   Evaluate your technology, people, and data foundations.
2. Strategy Development:
   Define your purpose, explore options, and co-create plans.
3. Execution Support:
   Build internal capability, monitor outcomes, and sustain momentum.

How will your organisation adapt?

As Alan King put it, the future belongs to those who rethink their entire organisational logic through the lens of intelligent systems.

If you’re ready to explore your company’s AI potential, visit aiyourorg.com

Stay a step ahead with The Brew

The Brew is a thriving community built for creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Nestled in the heart of East London, The Brew combines the energy of a start-up hub with the polish of a modern workspace. Our members enjoy thoughtfully designed offices, reliable high-speed connectivity, and a calendar packed with events that bring together some of the city’s most forward-thinking minds. It’s the perfect environment for professionals who value productivity, creativity, and meaningful connection.