Blockchain, artificial intelligence and machine learning: building a digital platform for future transformation

According to a well-known consulting firm, Gartner, global IT spending is projected to reach $370 billion in 2018, marking a 4.5% increase from the previous year. The growth is primarily driven by digital transformation, big data, and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. But which areas of IT innovation are capturing the attention of top technology leaders? Five chief information officers shared their insights.  **01. Build a strong recommendation engine** Brad Dawden, CIO of Airswift, a recruitment company, sees AI as one of the most exciting fields. However, he also highlights a growing concern: many companies mislabel basic algorithms as AI. “They're just solving fixed business problems,” he says. “Suppliers are jumping on the AI bandwagon, but I haven't seen many companies actually doing the right kind of AI—especially big ones.” Despite this, Dawden acknowledges the potential of AI in sectors like retail and recruitment. He envisions a future where companies can analyze behavior patterns to predict career shifts. “In the future, some companies will be able to observe how people behave and understand that someone might be looking for a new job,” he explains. However, he believes the full potential of AI is still far off. “When it arrives, automation won’t eliminate jobs—it will enhance human relationships,” he adds. “Tasks will become automated, leading to better quality work and more opportunities. Technical sales staff will focus on personal interactions. It's exciting, but we’re not there yet.” **02. Use machine learning to create value** Andrew Max, a digital consultant, emphasizes the power of machine learning. As a former CIO at Tullow Oil, he focused on data-driven decision-making. “Machine learning is an automated analysis tool that allows organizations to make quick decisions based on large volumes of data about performance, assets, and customer behavior,” he explains. Max believes real-time decision-making through machine learning is a game-changer for IT leaders. “It’s an opportunity that every CIO should understand and implement clearly,” he says. In industries like retail, fast-moving consumer goods, and hospitality, machine learning has the potential to drive significant profitability. “It offers a fresh perspective that can lead to meaningful results.” **03. Combine people and technology for efficiency** Julian Burnett, CIO of House of Fraser, takes a different approach. He finds the integration of physical and digital elements in the supply chain particularly exciting. “What’s happening in the IT industry sounds a bit unusual, but combining physical and digital is proving effective,” he says. Burnett’s team is working with suppliers like Dematic to integrate speech recognition technology into multiple languages. This helps manage seasonal workers in warehouses. “The impact is clear. When you combine technology, the possibilities are incredible,” he notes. “This fusion of physical and digital is the birth of true technological power in retail.” **04. Adopt advanced tech to improve public services** Aaron Powell, the Chief Digital Officer at NHS, is focused on using predictive analytics to improve patient care. “We’re experimenting with predicting waiting times and using smart imaging techniques in organ donation,” he says. “Being able to send images to transplant teams quickly can make a huge difference.” He also highlights the importance of tracking blood donations using sensors. While blockchain is gaining attention, Powell remains cautious. “We’ve looked into it, but we haven’t found a clear use case yet,” he says. “Other regions with fragmented systems are exploring it, but we have more control over our process.” **05. Build a digital platform for long-term transformation** Kristen Walters, Director of Informatics at St. Helens and Knowsley Hospitals, focuses on creating a reliable digital foundation. “We often lag behind other industries because we prioritize reliability over cutting-edge changes,” she explains. “Our goal is to ensure technology supports patient care without unnecessary risks.” Her team has implemented electronic prescription systems and early warning tools to improve patient outcomes. While wearable tech and other innovations are promising, Walters insists on focusing on basics first. “We want to empower patients to self-manage, but we must first digitize processes to reduce paper reliance,” she says.

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