The Implement AI Podcast #64 – The State of AI in 2025: What Business Leaders Must Understand Now
September 2, 2025
The AI Future Isn’t Coming, It’s Already Here. What if the biggest bottleneck in AI isn’t technology, but leadership imagination?
In this episode of The Implement AI Podcast, hosts Piers Linney and Dr. Aalok Y. Shukla are joined by global AI strategist Danilo McGarry to explore what’s really blocking digital transformation in 2025 and why companies still waiting for “better tech” might already be 2 years behind. From cutting-edge frontier models like Grok 4 to the exponential rise of digital workers, the conversation cuts through the noise. Implement AI, recently named Best AI Startup at the UK StartUp Awards London, is helping organisations shift from passive curiosity to scalable deployment with its AI Operating System (AIOS). This isn’t about potential anymore. It’s about missed opportunity.
If you’re a business leader still waiting to “see where AI goes,” you might want to listen closely, because the tools to transform your company are already here, and the window to act is wide open, but it won’t stay that way for long.
We Don’t Need More Tech, We Need to Start Using It
Early-stage AI conversations were filled with wonder and hesitation. Leaders were curious about what large language models could do.
Today, the question is no longer “what if?” it’s “why not?”
Danilo doesn’t mince words: “We don’t need any more technology to transform companies… It literally can do anything a human can do today.” From AI training itself to agent-based systems executing tasks autonomously, the stack is ready: AI, automation, data, and orchestration. The barrier is no longer capability; it’s implementation.
Dr. Aalok points out that “we’ve already branched away from our ability to understand how it’s improving,” referencing how today’s models self-train in ways we can’t fully decode. We’ve passed the Turing Test. The AI isn’t just responding, it’s evolving.
Why This Moment Matters for Business
The next two years will define the competitive landscape. Companies that wait will be leapfrogged by AI-first players with faster margins, fewer headcount constraints, and scalable 24/7 workflows.
As Piers says, “Your competition isn’t the incumbents. It’s the people who are going to set up what you do, AI first.” The idea of waiting “just six more months” has become a leadership trap. Meanwhile, companies deploying AIOS are embedding digital workers, real tools doing real work, not just co-pilots or chatbot overlays.
Danilo warns against superficial rollouts and urges leaders to start with process mapping. “You cannot implement digital workers in your business the same way you download a browser. It’s not the same.”
Digital Workers: More Than Just Software
Implement AI’s AI Operating System brings together AI agents, data flows, automation tools, and workflow engines into a single digital workforce. These aren’t static dashboards; they’re agents that observe, act, and learn.
Whether it’s analyst agents doing internal reporting or autonomous tools handling repetitive workflows across legacy systems, the magic lies in orchestration. AIOS isn’t just about insight, it’s about action.
From Industry Lines to Industry Collapse
One standout theme is the convergence of previously distinct sectors. As Danilo explains, AI is rapidly collapsing traditional industry boundaries, blurring the lines between legal, wealth management, logistics, and even hardware.
He points to robotics as a key frontier, noting that autonomous systems are nearing their “ChatGPT moment,” a tipping point where adoption accelerates, expectations shift, and the technology becomes indispensable.
The implication is that Vertical AI solutions alone won’t cut it. Businesses need a hybrid approach: horizontal orchestration powered by Implement AI’s AIOS, paired with vertical specialisation for compliance-heavy or industry-specific needs. It’s the blueprint for surviving and thriving in a cross-industry future.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still on the sidelines, this episode is your wake-up call. AI can now generate its training data. Agents can now operate across business systems without manual prompts. The excuses are running out, and so is the window to lead.
The Implement AI team isn’t chasing hype; they’re building systems that work today. Their recent award as Best AI Startup at the UK StartUp Awards London is proof that action beats theory.
So, whether you’re a founder, an operator, or an advisor helping companies navigate transformation, now is the time to move. Because the technology is ready. The playbooks are clear. And your digital workforce isn’t a future idea, it’s a present advantage. You just need to implement it.
Listen to the new episode on:
- Apple: https://shorturl.at/GTvTl
- Spotify: https://shorturl.at/WFcAz
- YouTube: https://shorturl.at/Jsv8S
