ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN BUSINESS

THE EXPERTS’ VIEW (continued)

David Hagan

Director, BT Local Business

Is your digital infrastructure ready for AI at scale

Is AI still a competitive advantage for businesses today, or has it become something more fundamental?

That’s a great question. AI, especially when powered by real-time data, is no longer just a competitive edge—it’s becoming a basic operational requirement. In today’s digital economy, if your AI isn’t fuelled by current, accessible data, it can’t support your teams or customers effectively.

But many organisations already use AI. What’s the difference between having AI and enabling it with real-time data?

The difference is night and day. Traditional AI often relies on retrospective data—it tells you what happened. Real-time AI, on the other hand, can tell you what’s happening now and act on it instantly. That means customer issues are addressed as they arise, operational disruptions are flagged early, and decisions are made on live intelligence—not yesterday’s insights.

That sounds powerful. What kind of impact does this have in real-world sectors?

It’s transformational—especially in timecritical sectors like healthcare, finance, education, and public services. Real-time responsiveness can determine outcomes, not just efficiencies. For example, early risk detection, personalised service delivery, and empathetic, timely support all rely on live data and fast AI processing.

So, why aren’t more organisations already doing this?

Because it doesn’t happen by default. It takes deliberate investment in low-latency infrastructure, clean data pipelines, and systems that actually talk to each other. Without that, even the smartest AI can be slowed down by a bottlenecked environment.

What should organisations be asking themselves?

They need to ask: Are our systems designed for real-time performance, or are we expecting AI to work in conditions it simply can’t thrive in? That’s the real test. AI alone isn’t enough—it must be paired with responsive, well-architected digital foundations.

And for organisations in the Liverpool City Region—what’s the next step?

Start the conversation now. Real-time AI is the future, and the organisations that act early will lead the way. If you’re ready to explore what it means for your business, reach out to BT Local Business Liverpool at 01704 898200. Let’s shape a smarter, faster, and more responsive digital region—together.