ILLUMINATE – Shaping Tomorrow: AI’s Role in Transforming Business, Government & Society

We were thrilled to host our Illuminate 2025 event in Edinburgh. During this exclusive event, we stepped beyond print, scan and digital workflows to explore the global impact of artificial intelligence on productivity, workforce evolution, and strategic innovation.

Shaping Tomorrow: AI’s Role in Transforming Business, Government & Society

In 2018, the McKinsey Global Institute predicted that AI could surpass the productivity impact of historical technologies like the steam engine1. It left us wondering if AI already outpaced the steam engine?

Today, with 75%2 of organisations using AI in at least one business function, leaders are navigating a fast-spinning roundabout of choices. Each exit represents a different strategy. Each turn demands a plan. The challenge is momentum - knowing when to move, how to boost productivity and efficiency, and which path best aligns with the organisation’s vision.

At this year’s ILLUMINATE event we explored how AI is redefining the way we live, work, and lead.

Our Speakers

Simon Greenman

Simon is a co-founder of MapQuest and Partner at Best Practice AI. With over 25 years in AI and digital innovation, he has advised global organizations, served on the World Economic Forum’s Global AI Council, and led major digital transformations. Simon holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in AI from the University of Sussex.

Alex Thurgood

Alex holds a BSc in Management Science and CIM qualifications in Marketing and AI. With 20+ years’ experience across strategic, marketing, sales, and digital roles, he leads Canon Europe’s Digital Operations team, driving pan-EMEA digital strategies and governance. He also sets long-term AI and tech roadmaps, budgets, and investment plans for Corporate Communications, Marketing & Sustainability.

Ken Sutherland PhD FREng FRSE

Ken is Managing Director of Canon Medical Research Europe and Assistant to the Chief Technology Executive at Canon Medical Systems in Japan. A passionate advocate for the safe and effective use of AI and automation in healthcare, he advises both the UK and Scottish Governments on this topic. Ken is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, with a background in medical image analysis and leadership in global imaging R&D.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our workflow & document solutions with built in AI include:
    Therefore™ uses AI-powered document classification and metadata tagging making it ideal for records management - quick, auditable handling of patient records, contracts, and compliance documents.
    IRISXtract uses AI-based classification making it a perfect for finance and administration - automates processing of invoices, forms, and patient documents.
    Digital Mailroom Solutions uses AI-driven document recognition making it a good fit for administrative and back-office teams due to its efficient handling of large volumes of incoming mail and documents.
    imageFORCE multifunction printers use machine learning AI-trained algorithms to recommend and apply optimal security settings, empowering you to effectively minimise security vulnerabilities with limited IT expertise.
    We do more than print…
    • Through smart technologies, we streamline workflows  for diagnostics teams resulting in significant time savings.
    • Through  research  we support faster and more informed clinical decisions.

  • We take a practical and security-focused approach to AI in office environments. Rather than using generative AI for creative tasks, we apply machine learning through imageFORCE to make print and scan technology smarter, safer, and more reliable for our customers. Learn more here.

  • Keep up with the latest events and webinars on our webpage or signing up to our business newsletter here.

  • Where can I find Canon’s full range of business products? Visit our business products page here.

  • For on-site or virtual demo arrangements, please book through our webpage. To request a quote from us, please get in touch here.

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If you have any questions about this or another event, please get in touch