In the latest episode of the Dinis Guarda Podcast, Alex Grimshaw, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Microsoft Azure, explores how AI and cloud solutions are shaping inclusive, secure, and data-driven digital transformation. He highlights Microsoft’s commitment to ethical data governance, accessibility through AI tools like Co-Pilot, and the evolving role of AI and quantum computing in business. The podcast is powered by Businessabc.net, Citiesabc.com, Wisdomia.ai, and Sportsabc.org.
Alex Grimshaw is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Microsoft Azure in the United Kingdom, where he supports customers and partners across sectors to drive digital transformation using Microsoft Azure Cloud., Alex also worked with the UK’s largest Public Administration organisations, HM Revenue & Customs, and the Department for Work & Pensions. During this time, he focused on tech intensity, human excellence, and industrial empathy as core pillars of cultural change to impact customers, partners, and colleagues.
During the interview, Alex explains how Microsoft addresses data transparency, cybersecurity, and ethics in the AI era:
“The storing, handling and use of data has always been critical to every organisation, and obviously with the era of AI, it’s now even more critical.
With Microsoft, transparency is key, so we expect customers will always have control of their own data, they’ll always know where it’s located and how it’s being used. We’ll uphold our privacy commitments through robust privacy governance policies.
Security is also a top priority for Microsoft, so whether it’s robust access policies, encryption, data minimisation or retention policies, we ensure that we’re also backed up by the most compliant cloud platform.”
AI for Inclusivity
Alex discusses how AI, particularly through Microsoft’s Azure platform and tools like Co-Pilot:
“AI has a huge potential to drive inclusivity by providing much more personalised experiences and removing the barriers to access.
The tech industry as a whole needs to carry on prioritising inclusive design, providing training, and resources for neurodiverse employees.
The latest stats that I saw were that around 15 to 20% of all civil servants in the UK government actually identify as having some sort of disability.
One of the most powerful stories I recently heard from a colleague was about someone who suffered from a huge amount of anxiety in the workplace.
They utilised Co-Pilot to give them a view of what the actions were, what the tone was, and what the summary of the ask was in every form of comms.
It completely transformed their way their working and their morale in the workplace.
They started to use it in responses to colleagues because they thought, ‘if I struggle with understanding the nuance of language and tone, then maybe my responses don’t always convey what I’m trying to convey.’
AI certainly Co-Pilot has got a huge part to play in terms of, for example, in the public sector, bringing potentially 20% of the workforce, making them feel more empowered and more included in everyday tasks and life. It’s such a powerful story that I tell that to everyone I meet.”
AI and quantum computing in business
“For some, AI simply means co-pilot or some other human interface to an AI backend, where others are appreciating the impact that AI brings, like enhancing productivity, streamlining operations, and driving business model innovation.
Over time, we’ll see the interaction speed, consistency, and quality improve through automation between businesses and consumers, businesses and businesses, and between consumers themselves.
The adoption speed of many AI-based services is still based upon regulations that still need to be created, consumer trust, and, more importantly, the normalisation of societal expectations of what AI is and what it isn’t.
Microsoft Research published a paper saying Co-Pilot is brilliant but it’s actually making humans dumber—what it’s talking about is critical thinking.
AI-based models are there to augment our own critical thinking to speed up less human tasks, so we can focus on critical decisions.
Quantum has been around now for over 40 years, it’s got clear advantages in specific use cases, but many organisations aren’t yet planning for its impact outside of specialised industries.”
Empowering businesses with AI and integrated solutions
Alex discusses how Microsoft Azure plays a critical role in helping businesses embrace the digital age by providing a secure and compliant platform for AI and data services:
“The onus is on every organisation to embrace the digital age or they’re going to be left behind, or crucially, they’ve got to insert the benefits of AI transformation.
The Microsoft Azure platform, of course, provides the most secure, compliant globally dispersed platform that allows organisations to benefit from know revolution with best-in-class AI and data services.
We are continuously striving forward, investing in new infrastructure and innovation to ensure that we remain a cornerstone for businesses looking to thrive in the digital age. We provide things like workflow automation, enhanced decision making and improved customer experiences for all organisations.”
Concluding the interview, Alex shares key advice for UK business leaders on how to approach digital transformation in the age of AI:
“I would say rather than a single action, I’d almost like to give two focus areas. For me, the most crucial areas are people and data.
I’d encourage all UK business leaders to prioritise digital transformation of course, but to embrace a culture of continuous innovation.
This involves, you know, continuing to invest in new technologies to release the power of people and data, fostering a mindset of continuous improvement and building strong partnerships with technology partners like ourselves.
Every organisation needs to ensure it focuses on people, so skilling, investment, and empowerment, in tandem with data.
It’s so crucial that every organisation starts to become more intentionally data-driven in terms of how they think about their, certainly their business model innovation and how they compete in the future.
On that way, they’ll be able to embrace the real power of AI, as I mentioned before.”
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