How can Artificial Intelligence be used to enhance your businesses? Read our Q&A with Nial Grimes, participant on the Business Impacts of AI programme, for an insight into the knowledge and practical skills he has gained from the course.    

Please introduce yourself, telling us about your career.

I am Nial Grimes, Head of Strategy & Innovation at Welsh Water. I have worked in the technology arena for over thirty years, starting as a technical journalist and working my way through infrastructure, architecture, applications and on to strategy and innovation. I am passionate about how technology can help organisations to transform.

What is Business Impacts of AI?

The Business Impacts of AI programme I studied provided a deep dive into how artificial intelligence can transform business strategies, operations, and decision-making. It focuses on the practical and strategic application of AI, ethical considerations, and equipping leaders with the tools to drive innovation and sustainable value in their organisations.

Why did you choose to study Business Impacts of AI?

As Head of Strategy & Innovation at Welsh Water, I’m always looking for ways to leverage emerging technologies to enhance our services and drive efficiency. AI is a transformative tool, and I wanted a structured, in-depth understanding of its business implications. This programme offered a comprehensive blend of academic rigour and practical insights, making it the perfect choice for me.

What made this programme stand out compared to others on the market or compared to free shorter online courses on AI?

What stood out was the combination of expert faculty and the collaborative learning environment. Unlike free, shorter courses, this programme provided an in-depth and interactive exploration of AI, strategic frameworks, and real-world case studies. The chance to work alongside professionals from IT and other industries made the learning experience richer and more applicable to real-world challenges.

Do you have any past experience of AI in business?

Before the course, I had some exposure to AI through previous study and through industry applications. However, the emergence of generative AI made the timing perfect for a revisit and a deeper look. This programme gave me a broader understanding of AI’s strategic potential, and drove me to analyse how it can be practically applied in our industry.

Why is Business Impacts of AI important to learn for people in business?

AI is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a necessity for businesses seeking to stay competitive. Understanding its impacts allows business leaders to make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and mitigate risks. For organisations like Welsh Water, it’s crucial to harness AI responsibly to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.

What did you gain from the learning? What elements have you been able to take into your workplace/business?

The programme equipped me with a clear understanding of how to evaluate and implement AI initiatives strategically. At Welsh Water, I’ve been able to integrate learnings into our AI strategy, particularly as we adopt generative AI to continually improve the service we provide to our customers. There are significant considerations required in implementing AI, and the course equipped me to help the organisation to navigate them.

What challenges in your role has this programme helped with?

The programme helped me to lead the adoption of Generative AI for office productivity, conscious of the broader considerations for the organisation. It gave me the tools to communicate effectively about AI’s potential and its limitations. From a personal perspective it has also enabled me to increase my own productivity through making the most of the tools available.

In what ways have you enjoyed learning about AI at WBS? Do you have any personal highlights?

I thoroughly enjoyed learning from the knowledgeable academics who brought both depth and clarity to complex AI topics. A personal highlight was working alongside a cohort of IT professionals—it was fascinating to hear their perspectives and learn from their experiences.

Was there a particular day or session that stood out?

The sessions on generative AI stood out for me. The technology was just emerging as I was studying the course, and to understand the theory and concepts helped me immediately to identify opportunities for application in our organisation.

Would you recommend this programme to others considering applying? Any advice you would share?

Absolutely. For anyone looking to understand the strategic application of AI in business, this programme is invaluable. My advice would be to come with specific challenges or questions in mind—it makes the learning even more impactful.

Why did you pick to study at WBS?

WBS has a good reputation as a business school and I identified with the values of curiosity, openness, restlessness and excellence. The London location also meant that transport links worked for me, and led to a very diverse cohort (with a number flying in to the UK).

Did you enjoy working/learning in The Shard?

Yes, the learning environment at The Shard was fantastic. From the moment you arrived you could immerse yourself in the learning and the spaces were well designed for collaborative working. The surrounding area was also great to meet socially with the cohort and to share reflections on the day’s work.

Did you enjoy networking with your cohort?

Absolutely. Networking with a diverse group of professionals was a major advantage of the course and I have made enduring connections and friendships.

Find out more about our Business Impacts of AI programme.