Cracking the AI Disconnect: How Frontier Firms Turn Ambition into Advantage with AI

May 12, 2026
12:00 - 14:30

The roundtable that reveals what separates AI experimenters from frontier firm innovators.

Most organisations believe they’re progressing with AI, but our new AI Disconnect Research — surveying over 500 businesses — reveals a far more dramatic truth: while many are experimenting, only a small minority are actually operating as frontier firms. The real gap isn’t ambition or investment; it’s strategy, structure, and a misplaced understanding of what truly drives AI value.

At this exclusive, invitation‑only roundtable, you’ll be among the first to uncover the misconceptions and capability gaps holding organisations back, gain insider access to Microsoft’s Eleri Gibbon as she breaks down what defines a frontier firm, and discover how the AI Factory model is helping leaders close the disconnect and accelerate toward frontier‑level performance. This is your chance to step into the inner circle of AI strategy and gain the competitive advantage others won’t see coming.

You’re not just attending a session. You’re stepping into a strategic advantage. Expect to walk away with:

🔍 Exclusive insights you won’t find on public blogs, keynotes, or webinars

Hear directly from Microsoft on emerging patterns, hidden challenges, and the AI capabilities that are quietly reshaping industries.

🚀 A first look at the AI Factory — the framework that top performers are using to scale AI fast

Presented by Jodie Ashwood, Chief Data & AI Officer at Transparity, this is your chance to learn how market leaders are operationalising AI safely, efficiently, and with tangible ROI.

🧠 Unfiltered conversations with leaders who are living this right now

This roundtable is intentionally small to maximise interaction, ideas, and meaningful discussion.

🛠️ Practical strategies you can take back to your organisation immediately

Leave with actionable insights tailored to the realities of modern IT and business transformation.

This isn’t theory. This is about what’s actually working. Sign up to register your interest, someone from our team will be in touch to confirm your space.

Please note, this is an invite only event and in order to attend this roundtable you will need to confirm your place with our team.

Meet the speakers

Jodie Ashwood

Jodie Ashwood

Chief Data and AI Officer, Transparity

Jodie is responsible for Transparity’s AI Strategy & go-to-market plan. She spent the past 7+ years at both Microsoft, and more recently, Google Cloud where she led the AI GTM for EMEA. Having obtained her degree in Computer Science, Jodie is a passionate technologist and loves showcasing AI’s potential to achieve tangible business outcomes.

Eleri Gibbon

Eleri Gibbon

Small, Medium and Corporate Lead, Microsoft

Eleri leads Microsoft’s UK Small, Medium & Corporate (SMC) segment and responsible for driving growth and new customer acquisition across all cloud solution areas - Modern Workplace, Business Applications, Apps & Infrastructure and Data & AI. As a segment, the focus is on helping customers and partners of all sizes leverage Microsoft technologies to drive digital transformation in the era of AI.

Russell Young

Russell Young

App Innovation: Practice Group Director

Russell has 10+ years experience in Microsoft, and now leverages his experience to head up the App Innovation Practice at Transparity.