AI at the crossroads: Navigating a future under uncertainty
Location: CGI Leeds office, 1 Whitehall Quay, Leeds LS1 4HR
Date and time: 23 September 2026, 17:30 – 21:00
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AI is developing at extraordinary speed, reshaping the technological, geopolitical and economic environment in which organisations operate. The challenge is not predicting exactly what happens next, but understanding what different futures could mean for the decisions being made today.
This interactive session draws on established futures thinking methodology to place participants inside a provocative future AI scenario in which advanced AI capability is concentrated between two dominant global power centres.
Together, we’ll explore what the changing environment could mean for organisations and public services and translate big-picture change into practical strategic implications.
The session offers a taster of the deeper futures and scenario work CGI is applying with clients and internally. It is designed to give participants an experience of how structured strategic conversations can support collective clarity and decision making under uncertainty.
Experienced AI and innovation leaders will set the scene with thought-provoking lightning talks on the AI landscape. You’ll then immerse in a futures scenario workshop leveraging the futures thinking framework. Finally, we’ll unpack what we’ve experienced with a panel of regional technology leaders with participants from Channel 4 and Skipton Group confirmed.
17:30 Arrival, networking and refreshments
18:00 AI today: What is changing?
Short perspectives on the current AI landscape and the uncertainties that matter.
18:15 Setting the scene: A future AI operating environment
Introduction to the futures thinking scenario and its geopolitical, technological and economic context.
18:30 Interactive futures thinking scenario workshop
Explore what the scenario could mean for organisations, sectors and strategic choices. Featuring CGI, Channel 4 and Skipton Group.
19:35 Break
19:50 Panel discussion: From scenario to strategy
Panel discussion on the implications raised and what organisations should be thinking about now.
20:30 Networking, refreshments and canapes
21:00 Event close
For leaders and practitioners involved in strategy, technology, transformation, innovation, policy and organisational change who want to move beyond short-term AI predictions and explore what a changing operating environment could mean for the choices they make today.
Facilitators
Terry Dixon – Director Consulting Services, CGI UK
Tom Runge – Director of Business Consulting - Data and Innovation, CGI UK
Speakers and panellists
Liam Cadd – Director of Business Transformation, Channel 4
Jenny Wood – Group CIO, Skipton Group
Dicky Moore – AI Enablement Lead, CGI UK
AI is changing the way organisations approach transformation, productivity, and decision-making. In this video, John Davis, Vice President Consulting Expert at CGI UK, highlights the importance of combining technology with human expertise to deliver meaningful business outcomes.
As Headline Sponsor of Leeds Digital Festival 2026, CGI is excited to launch a series of events throughout the programme. We’re shining a light on the projects, partnerships and people trailblazing in Leeds and helping to grow the region.
As one of the world’s largest IT and business consulting services firms, CGI has a strong and growing presence across Yorkshire, with offices in Leeds, Sheffield and York. We were proud to have been recognised as a 2026 Top Company to work for in Leeds by LinkedIn, highlighting our commitment to the region.
CGI is delighted to be Headline Sponsor of Leeds Digital Festival 2026.
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