Research-Based Practitioner in
AI Transformation

Combining academic rigour, commercial experience, and executive insight to help organisations navigate AI-driven transformation with realism and strategic clarity.

New Book Now Available!

Making AI Work for Britain — published by London Publishing Partnership

30+ years building enterprise software • £11M UK National Research Centre Director • IBM Distinguished Engineer • Board-level advisor across pharma, energy, defence, and government

Alan W. Brown

Alan W. Brown

Research-Based Practitioner: Engineering, Research, and Strategy

I bring a unique combination of three perspectives: 30+ years as a practitioner building enterprise software at scale (Carnegie Mellon, IBM Distinguished Engineer, founding CTO roles), 15+ years as a researcher leading major research centers and publishing peer-reviewed work, and extensive experience as a board-level advisor translating complex AI issues into decision-ready insight.

This blend of academic rigour, commercial experience, and executive insight allows me to help senior leaders navigate AI transformation with both empirical grounding and practical wisdom—not just theory or vendor promises.

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The difference between successful leaders and everyone else isn't intelligence or luck—it's the ability to validate AI strategies before committing to them.

Making AI Work for Britain
New Book Now Available!

Making AI Work for Britain

Why Britain’s AI ambitions keep stalling — and five reforms that could change that.

Britain has the talent, the research base, and the institutional foundations to lead in AI. So why do so many AI initiatives stall after a promising start? This book diagnoses the structural problems — from fragmented demand and concentrated supply to governance gaps and digital sovereignty risks — and sets out a clear, evidence-based path forward. Drawing on lessons from the Government Digital Service and thirty years of digital transformation experience, it makes the case for an approach that has worked before and can work again.

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Introducing the Book

A two-minute overview of the argument — why Britain’s AI strategy needs to change, and what to do about it.

Want more? Watch the 30-minute full overview for a deeper dive into the argument and recommendations.

Three Perspectives, One Advantage

A rare combination of three perspectives that collide at the highest level of organisational transformation.

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Practitioner

30+ years leading large-scale enterprise software delivery and digital transformation programs. From Carnegie Mellon research to IBM Distinguished Engineer to founding CTO roles—I've built and scaled teams, delivered complex systems, and navigated the messy realities of enterprise transformation.

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Researcher

Founded and led the Surrey Centre for the Digital Economy (CoDe), directed a £11M UK National Research Centre on digital transformation in Established Organisations, and lead the Defence Data Research Centre. My work is methodologically rigorous, published in peer-reviewed venues, and grounded in empirical data about how organisations actually change.

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Advisor

Advisory and board-level strategy work with organisations across pharma, energy, defence, government, and regulated industries. I translate complex AI and digital issues into decision-ready insight for busy leaders operating under uncertainty, constraints, and real business risk.

Weekly Newsletter

Every Sunday, I share exclusive insights on AI transformation, digital disruption, and organisational resilience. Read by leaders from IBM, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Accenture, Deloitte, UK Government, and Defence.

Ready to Navigate AI Transformation?

Whether you're looking to understand AI's impact on strategy, design a transformation program, or commission research—let's talk.

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