Alan Brown

Alan Brown

Alan is a digital technologist, researcher, and entrepreneur. He holds a Professorship in Digital Economy at the University of Exeter, UK and held a Fellowship at the Alan Turing Institute, the UK National institute for data science and AI.

Digital Economy Dispatch #260 -- In Praise of Middle Management

Digital Economy Dispatch #260 -- In Praise of Middle Management

We're being told AI will replace large numbers of workers, with "middle managers" a prime target. But, what if AI is not so much a threat to middle managers, but a way to liberate them from administrative drudgery to allow them to focus on what they were actually hired for: leading people.

Alan Brown
Alan Brown
Digital Economy Dispatch #259 -- Untangling the Myth of "Could" vs "Should" in AI Decision-Making

Digital Economy Dispatch #259 -- Untangling the Myth of "Could" vs "Should" in AI Decision-Making

AI is blurring the lines in decision making. As you evolve your AI strategy, if you still think AI handles the “could", while humans control the “should”, you may be leading your organization astray.

Alan Brown
Alan Brown
Digital Economy Dispatch #258 -- Why GenAI is Driving Me Crazy!

Digital Economy Dispatch #258 -- Why GenAI is Driving Me Crazy!

Alan Brown
Alan Brown
Digital Economy Dispatch #257 -- Who Do We Trust With AI?

Digital Economy Dispatch #257 -- Who Do We Trust With AI?

Adopting powerful AI tools demands a critical focus on who owns and controls AI -- a tension very well described in Parmy Olson's book, Supremacy.

Alan Brown
Alan Brown
Digital Economy Dispatch #256 -- How Much of That Did You Write?

Digital Economy Dispatch #256 -- How Much of That Did You Write?

Now, AI touches almost everything we read, from academic papers to strategy presentations. The real question we must ask is: how intelligently and responsibly is AI being applied?

Alan Brown
Alan Brown
Digital Economy Dispatch #255 -- Fragile AI and How Not to Fail the Resilience Test

Digital Economy Dispatch #255 -- Fragile AI and How Not to Fail the Resilience Test

Our reliance on digital technology has left UK enterprises exposed to breakdowns and attacks. Rapid AI adoption will make this worse. Resilience and governance must now be urgent boardroom priorities.

Alan Brown
Alan Brown
Digital Economy Dispatch #254 -- Surviving AI Sprawl

Digital Economy Dispatch #254 -- Surviving AI Sprawl

AI sprawl is growing. This rapid, uncontrolled spread of GenAI and specialized AI tools across an organization is creating an urgent governance crisis. What can organizations do?

Alan Brown
Alan Brown
Digital Economy Dispatch #253 -- Lessons in Leading Universities Through the AI Revolution

Digital Economy Dispatch #253 -- Lessons in Leading Universities Through the AI Revolution

Facing a financial crisis and intense global competition, UK universities must strategically leverage AI to both survive and thrive. This requires automating administration for cost savings and fundamentally transforming the educator role to focus on critical thinking and industry partnerships.

Alan Brown
Alan Brown
Digital Economy Dispatch #252 -- Five AI Models for Today's Digital Leaders

Digital Economy Dispatch #252 -- Five AI Models for Today's Digital Leaders

Five proven AI usage models show how digital leaders can move beyond AI hype and use generative tools for real strategic impact, meaningful innovation, and transformation that lasts.

Alan Brown
Alan Brown
Digital Economy Dispatch #251 - Using AI as a Critical Friend: Redefining Strategic Leadership

Digital Economy Dispatch #251 - Using AI as a Critical Friend: Redefining Strategic Leadership

I see executives and managers increasingly use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude as strategic advisors. This can replace expensive consultants with 24/7 unbiased analysis, but requires balancing AI insights with essential human judgment.

Alan Brown
Alan Brown