Business & Technology
Most executives say AI has moved beyond pilot phase
A survey by AI Infra Summit of senior technology and business leaders found that most respondents have moved beyond AI pilot projects, while views were split on whether AI will expand or reduce headcount.
The survey covered 29 C-suite and vice president-level respondents from large companies. Attendees at the closed-door event included leaders from Amazon, Dell Technologies, FedEx, Hitachi, Lenovo, MasterCard, Mercedes-Benz, Wayfair and Zoom.
Almost all respondents said AI is now in active use rather than testing. The findings showed 95% of organisations had moved beyond the pilot phase, while 40% had embedded AI into core products and strategy.
Another 55% said they were running live AI use cases delivering measurable value, pointing to a shift from experimentation to operational deployment among the executives surveyed.
Hiring split
The results showed no consensus on AI’s effect on jobs. Some leaders expect the technology to support expansion or keep teams stable through higher productivity, while others expect it to reduce staffing needs.
In the poll, 14% said AI would lead to business expansion and net new hiring, while 38% expected to produce more with the same headcount. By contrast, 10% said they would replace a significant number of roles with AI agents, and 38% anticipated reducing headcount through AI automation.
That leaves 52% expecting teams to grow or remain the same size, versus 48% expecting a smaller workforce. The findings suggest senior executives see AI less as a uniform jobs story than as a trigger for broader organisational redesign.
Ed Nelson, strategy director and co-founder of AI Infra Summit, said participants were broadly optimistic. “The tone at the recent CEO event was positive – Fortune 500 and 1000 leaders were very bullish on the potential of AI and that it was nowhere near its peak,” Nelson said.
He also described changes some executives said were already taking place inside their businesses. “Some leaders were discussing how AI has already saved their organisations hundreds of millions of dollars. The consensus was that high-level discussions have moved on from whether AI works to understanding how agents can be used effectively. It was agreed that the real transformational benefits of AI will go beyond augmenting existing roles, to re-designing work to make it AI-native,” Nelson said.
Budget pressure
The survey indicated that AI spending is beginning to reshape broader technology budgets. More than a third of respondents said their organisations were cutting traditional IT spending to make room for AI investment.
Specifically, 36% said AI is cannibalising traditional IT spend. At the same time, 46% said their companies were securing new budgets earmarked for AI, suggesting many businesses are funding the technology through a combination of fresh investment and internal trade-offs.
The data also pointed to a common model strategy. Most respondents said their organisations use a mix of external foundation models and internally developed tools or layers.
That hybrid structure was cited by 85% of those surveyed, reflecting a preference for platforms from large providers while retaining some proprietary control. For large organisations, the approach may offer a way to use established models without giving up differentiation in products or internal processes.
Agents in focus
Views were more one-sided on agentic AI. Three-quarters of respondents said autonomous AI agents either live up to the current attention around them or are still underestimated.
Within that group, 50% said the hype was justified and 25% said agentic AI was under-hyped. A quarter said it was over-hyped, leaving a minority with the more sceptical view.
Nelson said the debate at senior level has moved beyond basic questions of viability. “At the event, the leaders were divided on what the future of work would look like. No one doubted the capabilities of AI, and they said that we are nowhere near the peak of its potential. Now the big question for them is how to transform their organisations for the AI era. Work will fundamentally have to be redesigned but the major blocker to this is the organisations themselves – it’s less about the technology, but rather their people and culture,” Nelson said.
Participants also discussed which workers may benefit most as AI tools take on more tasks. According to the event account, some leaders argued that broader problem-solving skills and adaptability may become more valuable than narrow specialisation.
Nelson linked that to the poll’s headcount findings. “The survey revealed that 52% thought headcount would either increase or stay the same. While there was 48% who thought it would decrease, no one was arguing that AI would result in a wholesale elimination of jobs. There was a lot of discussion about the types of skills that would be useful as more roles get augmented with AI agents. It was argued that generalists will prevail in this environment – those with lateral thinking, an open mind, the ability to analyse and make connections – rather than those with deep domain expertise,” Nelson said.
He added that the challenge for large companies goes beyond software deployment. “The jury is still out on what the implementation of AI means for the future of work for the world’s largest companies. This isn’t about sprinkling AI on top of poor processes, however. Integrating AI is a human resources issue, but it shouldn’t be framed as simply an upskilling and retraining exercise; it is a massive operational challenge as well,” Nelson said.
Bicester Leisure Centre has confirmed it will reopen fully on Monday, August 10, following several weeks of partial and complete closures.
However, the centre will remain fully closed tomorrow (Friday, August 7) with scheduled swimming lessons moved to Kidlington Leisure Centre.
While the changing rooms have been closed and the toilets moved to the car park, the gym, sports hall and outdoor pitches have remained in use during most of the works.
The main pool is due to welcome users again from Tuesday, August 11, marking a significant step towards normal service.
However, the Play ’n’ Teach pool will remain closed for a further three weeks while structural repairs to the roof are carried out.
Play ’n’ Teach sessions will be transferred to the main pool to minimise disruption with the majority of lesson times and days remaining unchanged, while a small number of Friday classes will operate on adjusted schedules.
The leisure centre said minor temporary changes would also be made to the main pool timetable over the coming weeks to ensure both lessons and public sessions can operate safely within the reduced space.
Operators added that they were working to provide additional public and lane swimming opportunities wherever possible during the period.
The reopening update follows growing concern among residents over the impact of the closure and ongoing restrictions.
Earlier this summer, councillors Sam Holland and Nick Mawer called for what they described as a fairer approach for members who have paid for facilities that have been unavailable during the works.
The pair say they are continuing to press Cherwell District Council over the support on offer to users.
In a joint update, they acknowledged that concessions remain available on request but argued residents should not be expected to chase compensation or fee reductions themselves when the disruption is long-running.
They said: “The current approach places too much of the burden on residents.”
The councillors have formally requested a meeting with relevant representatives at Cherwell District Council to discuss support for affected members and seek clearer communication on what assistance is available.
They added: “Residents deserve transparency, consistency and fairness while these works continue. We will continue to raise concerns on your behalf and will provide a further update once we have received a response regarding the meeting request.”
SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO
News Editor
Woojer has launched a site-wide 15% discount on its haptic gaming and wellness products across several international markets.
The promotion covers the Woojer Vest 4, Woojer STRAP 4 and Woojer MAT, aimed at users of games, films, music and relaxation products. It applies across the full range rather than a single device category.
At the lower end of the price range, the STRAP 4 costs USD $143 and GBP £137 after the discount, down from USD $169 and GBP £162. The wearable device converts audio into physical vibration and can be worn around the hips, across the chest or in a cross-body position.
Woojer has also added a styling element, offering a range of colours, patterns and themed editions linked to Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Fortnite. A dedicated app for the Series 4 range lets users manage appearance settings, core functions, audio controls and firmware updates.
Higher-priced products
The Vest 4 sits in the middle of the range at USD $407 and GBP £390 after the discount, compared with USD $479 and GBP £459 previously. It uses six Osci TRX2 transducers to deliver haptic feedback across the torso while users play games, watch films, listen to music or use virtual reality applications.
According to the product details, the vest includes an integrated control panel, digital signal processing, multi-band equaliser settings, Bluetooth headset compatibility and up to eight hours of battery life. It is designed for use while seated, standing or moving.
The most expensive item in the promotion is the Woojer MAT, now priced at USD $849 and GBP £813, down from USD $999 and GBP £957. The foldable mattress topper is positioned as a home wellness product that turns sound into vibrations across the body.
Wellness push
Woojer links the MAT to vibroacoustic therapy, which combines sound and vibration in relaxation and recovery settings. The product is intended to support sleep, stress reduction, recovery, mindfulness and relief from muscular tension.
That places the MAT in a broader wellness market where consumer technology companies are trying to move beyond entertainment hardware into products associated with rest, recovery and mental wellbeing. By including the MAT in the same summer offer as its gaming wearables, Woojer presents entertainment and wellness as part of a single commercial strategy.
The promotion also highlights the company’s pricing structure. Even after the discount, the MAT remains a premium purchase at close to USD $850, while the Vest 4 still costs more than many mainstream audio accessories, suggesting Woojer is targeting consumers willing to pay more for a specialised sensory product.
At the same time, the STRAP 4 gives the company a lower entry point for buyers interested in haptic audio without spending several hundred pounds or dollars on a vest or mattress topper. That may help broaden its reach among gamers, music listeners and virtual reality users who want a wearable format rather than a larger home setup.
Beyond direct sales, Woojer also offers an affiliate programme that pays 10% commission on generated sales. This suggests the company is using partner-led marketing to widen distribution and attract attention in a crowded consumer electronics market.
Haptic technology has drawn increasing interest from gaming and immersive media companies seeking to add touch-based feedback to sound and visuals. Woojer’s product range reflects that trend, focusing on devices that translate audio signals into vibrations users can feel through a strap, vest or mattress topper.
The sale gives prospective buyers a temporary price cut across all three product categories, with discounted prices ranging from USD $143 for the STRAP 4 to USD $849 for the MAT.
The soaring prices come after the start of the Iran war in the end of February, with diesel now at 205.9p per litre at Membury services in Berkshire, and unleaded petrol reaching 185p per litre.
Some drivers are reducing their journeys due to the unaffordable fuel prices.
The Government has frozen fuel duty in an effort to alleviate the burden, while motoring groups advise shopping around for the best deals.
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, commented on the situation: “Fuel prices continued to rise over the weekend with petrol climbing to a new Iran War high of 160.85p and diesel going back over 180p, something drivers haven’t seen since 9 June.
“Unleaded has now risen more than 10p a litre – 7 per cent – since bottoming out at 150.59p on 6 July while diesel is up 16p (15.8p) a litre, or 10 per cent, almost fully reversing June’s 16.6p reduction, which was the biggest monthly drop on record.
“Positively for petrol car drivers, RAC analysis of wholesale fuel data shows prices at the pump should begin to stabilise this week.
READ MORE: Oxford University Ebola vaccine trial gets only five volunteers
“But the news for those who rely on diesel, including many businesses, is worrying as it looks set to carry on rising, possibly reaching 185p in the next week or so.”
The rise in fuel prices coincides with the summer holiday season, when more than 20 million UK drivers are expected to hit the roads this week.
The AA is advising motorists to use price comparison apps powered by the Government’s Fuel Finder service to “beat the higher prices.”
The increase in prices has led to record numbers of forecourt drive-offs.
Forecourt Eye, a fuel theft prevention company, reported a 20 per cent increase in incidents of fuel taken without payment in the five months following the conflict’s onset on February 28, compared to the previous five months.
The surge in pump prices due to the war has driven the value of stolen fuel up by 48 per cent over the same period, reaching an estimated daily average of £194,000 across the UK’s 8,359 forecourts.
Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, noted that its members are “reporting increasing levels of abuse and aggression towards colleagues who are simply doing their jobs and have no influence over the price displayed on the forecourt”.
The Government has postponed its planned September 2026 increase to fuel duty until the end of the year due to rising pump prices.
Originally introduced by the Conservatives in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the 5p reduction was set to end in September 2026.
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoHSBC UK & Visa test AI shopping with live payments
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoMouser warns against viral hacks to cool overheating phones
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoValarian lands USD $50 million backing for sovereign AI
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoKane tops England influencer rankings after Mexico win
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoSNP & Palantir launch AI tools for SAP transformations
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoDWP now checking bank accounts for Universal Credit and Pension Credit
-
Oxford Events4 weeks agoHenley Festival 2026 highlights: Five nights of unforgettable performances and festival moments
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoOde launches free AI voice service for poem recommendations