AI is a Tool for Transformation

Artificial intelligence is transforming industries, but many lack confidence in its application to successfully deliver value. The latest hammer on the market won’t build a house on its own; it takes skill, strategy, and a guiding hand. Likewise with AI, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, nor does it work in isolation.

AI is one part of a much larger ecosystem. Its success depends on the wider technology stack, data quality, and, crucially, company culture. True progress isn’t just about having cutting-edge technology; it’s about applying it strategically, ethically, and effectively to solve real-world challenges.

For businesses in Yorkshire and beyond, the real question isn’t whether AI can work; it’s

 

How do we make AI work for us?

 

That’s where initiatives like YorkshireX come in, helping organisations unlock AI’s potential by providing the right knowledge, tools, and collaborative support.

Empowering AI Adoption & Innovation Across Yorkshire & Humberside

As AI adoption grows, businesses need more than just technology. They need guidance on integrating AI effectively within their operations and company culture.

YorkshireX is an innovation exchange platform that brings together forward-thinking businesses, industry leaders, and policymakers to drive AI adoption and innovation. It is backed by the Department of Business & Trade and the Yorkshire-wide Combined Authorities.

As a Gold Sponsor and a Yorkshire-based change delivery consultancy, Perform Partners is committed to driving positive, sustainable and meaningful change. We see this initiative as an opportunity to help businesses across the region harness AI’s full potential, ensuring technology serves people first.

As a homegrown organisation, our partnership is not just a corporate sponsorship but an investment in the wider community. Our mission is to help elevate the North by showcasing and supporting local success stories, providing a tangible boost to regional aspirations, and ensuring that Yorkshire becomes a recognised hub for pioneering tech initiatives.

Championing Technology for Good

Are you asking the right questions when evaluating AI adoption for your organisation? How do we make sure it’s used for good?

AI and digital tools shouldn’t just make businesses more efficient; they should also improve lives, strengthen communities, and support a more sustainable future.

This idea, referred to as ‘tech for good’, is about using technology in ways that genuinely benefit people and society. It’s crucial to adopt technology responsibly. Our focus on ethical tech adoption drives us to seek an honest answer to the right questions:

• Who truly benefits from this technology?
• How do we safeguard data privacy and security?
• Are we creating inclusive solutions that work for everyone?

By supporting this initiative and sharing our expertise in technological and business change, we help bring this conversation to the forefront. To ensure innovation is ethically driven, sustainably focused, and aligned with the goal to make AI work for everyone.

A Mindset for Growth

Our approach to change initiatives looks for ways to learn, improve, and evolve. We’re excited to be part of YorkshireX, a fantastic environment for ongoing learning through a mix of accessible online and in-person sessions, insightful keynote from tech leaders, and interactivity that sparks out-of-the-box thinking.

As part of YorkshireX’s AI programme in March, we’re joining a session called ‘Ask Me Anything: Digital Transformation’, where we’ll discuss the realities of navigating technical and business change. In the stories we will tell, we will share real-world lessons and tried-and-tested best practices from many years of experience in change delivery.

We’re also looking forward to attending the official YorkshireX launch party in April 2025, celebrating innovation and collaboration across the region and co-hosting an in-person event at a leading UK university alongside YorkshireX, bringing together AI experts, government bodies and local businesses for an open conversation on AI’s role in shaping the future.

Delivering Change with People at the Heart

All transformation projects, digital or otherwise, are ultimately about people. AI and digital tools are enablers, but it’s human adaptability, culture, and collaboration that drive sustainable success. That’s why we place the human element at the core of all our change initiatives.

 

“For us, AI isn’t just about technology, it’s about people. We’ve seen firsthand how digital transformation can empower employees, create opportunities, and drive economic growth in Yorkshire. We believe that technology should empower, not overwhelm us. Our sponsorship of YorkshireX is our way of ensuring AI works for everyone.”

– Shaun Walsh, Co-founder and Director at Perform Partners

 

Digital transformation doesn’t just introduce new tools; it reshapes businesses, workflows, and job roles. As a business change and technology consultancy, we recognise the cultural shifts that come with new digital solutions and work to navigate them effectively. This means:

• Identifying and addressing skills gaps through targeted training and development.
• Encouraging collaboration across teams and departments.
• Building inclusive strategies that reduce resistance and foster a sense of ownership.

Throughout our partnership with YorkshireX and during our upcoming sessions as part of the AI programme, we hope to highlight the human impact of emerging technologies and the crucial role of people in shaping the future of work. Our goal is to spark meaningful dialogue on building inclusive tech environments where everyone can thrive, ensuring that innovation serves not just businesses, but society as a whole.

Embracing Scalable Emerging Technology with Confidence

We are proud to work hand-in-hand with industry-leading partners such as AWS and Ingram Micro, whose mature platforms and services enable us to deliver end-to-end solutions effectively. Through these partnerships, we bring:

• Cutting-edge cloud technologies for scalability and efficiency.
• Security and compliance expertise to mitigate risks.
• Scalable infrastructure that supports long-term growth.

By sponsoring YorkshireX, we extend this ecosystem-driven approach to the wider business community, ensuring that companies across Yorkshire have access to the right expertise, technology, and support. This showcases how combining our internal capabilities with our partners’ strengths results in agile, future-proof technology and business transformation.

We aim to inspire Yorkshire-based businesses to approach the future with confidence, equipping them with the right expertise, technology, and support to navigate digital transformation effectively.

Don’t just watch the future unfold; help shape it

The future isn’t a pre-built skyscraper – it’s a blueprint waiting for bold ideas. Be part of the design, not just a spectator.

AI is already changing the way you work. Now is the time to get involved and not risk being left behind.

YorkshireX is a great chance for businesses in Yorkshire & Humberside to connect, learn, and explore what AI can do for them. We’re looking forward to meeting fellow innovators and businesses looking to make tech work for people.

Register now to become part of YorkshireX.