Patrick Shields, experienced executive and PhD researcher in Artificial Intelligence, joins host Simon Hodgkins for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on leadership, innovation, and the realities of AI adoption in business. Recorded for VistaTalks Episode 188, this discussion dives deep into how organizations, particularly SMEs, can navigate AI responsibly while empowering their people and protecting trust.
Patrick is currently completing his PhD at Munster Technological University, where his research focuses on how businesses actually adopt AI in practice, rather than how technology vendors say they should. The result is a grounded, experience-led discussion that blends academic insight with decades of executive leadership across hospitality and international business.
From Executive Leadership to AI Research
Patrick’s journey is anything but linear. Having built a successful career as a senior executive and general manager in high-performance hospitality environments, including Michelin-starred operations and international luxury hotels, he brings a rare operational lens to the AI conversation.
Returning to academia during the COVID period, Patrick completed a master’s in strategy before progressing into full-time doctoral research. His focus quickly narrowed to a pressing issue: while AI tools are advancing rapidly, many organizations, especially SMEs, are struggling with adoption, clarity, and governance.
As Patrick explains, this gap isn’t technical. It’s organizational, behavioral, and cultural.
Why Businesses Are Falling Behind on AI
A central theme of the episode is the growing disconnect between AI availability and responsible usage. Patrick highlights that while employees are already using tools like large language models daily, leadership teams often lack policies, guardrails, or even basic awareness.
This has led to widespread “shadow AI”, unsanctioned use of tools that may expose businesses to data, ethical, and regulatory risks. From confidential financial data uploaded to chatbots to sensitive HR communications generated by AI without oversight, Patrick shares real-world examples that underscore the urgency of action.
His message is clear: delaying AI adoption does not reduce risk, it increases it.
Leadership, Clarity, and Communication
Patrick emphasizes that successful AI adoption starts with people, not platforms. In SMEs, especially, where informal decision-making is common, the absence of clear communication creates anxiety and resistance.
Patrick argues that leadership must evolve from command-and-control to stewardship. That means:
* Acknowledging uncertainty
* Setting clear expectations
* Communicating openly with teams
* Creating safe environments to experiment
When employees understand why AI is being introduced, how it will be used, and what the boundaries are, fear is replaced with engagement.
AI as a Workflow Change, Not a Plug-In
One of the most practical insights from the conversation is Patrick’s distinction between AI as a “tool” versus AI as a “workflow change.” Organizations seeing real value are not simply bolting AI onto existing processes; they are redesigning workflows to integrate it meaningfully.
This includes:
- Auditing existing software for built-in AI capabilities
- Connecting tools rather than using them in silos
- Keeping humans firmly in the loop
- Measuring outcomes, not novelty
When done well, AI frees up time, reduces administrative burden, and allows teams to focus on higher-value work, without compromising quality or accountability.
Responsible AI: Ethics, GDPR, and Sustainability
Patrick frames responsible AI adoption through lenses SMEs already understand: GDPR, health and safety, and corporate social responsibility.
Just as businesses adopted GDPR processes to protect customer data, AI now requires similar thinking:
- What data can be shared?
- What tools are approved?
- How are decisions explained and audited?
Patrick also raises emerging questions around sustainability and energy usage, noting that AI adoption must align with organizational values, not contradict them.
What the Next Five Years Will Demand
Looking ahead, Patrick believes the defining factor won’t be access to technology, but organizational maturity. The businesses that succeed will be those that treat AI as a core management competence, invest in communication, and bring their teams along on the journey.
AI, he argues, will soon be as fundamental to leadership as finance, operations, or HR. Ignoring it is no longer an option.
The key takeaway from this episode is simple but powerful:
AI adoption done right is not about speed; it’s about clarity, trust, and leadership.