Mary Kemp is the award-winning founder of AI Potential, delivering practical generative AI training for SMEs. As co-founder of Brighton AI, she champions human-centric, responsible AI. Known for her clear, empathetic approach, Mary helps teams turn complex strategies into real-world results.
Which talk/panel did you speak at?
Brighton AI
Can you share a bit about your background?
I am the founder of AI Potential, a UK-based company helping organisations adopt generative AI in a responsible, human-first way. With a background in business development spanning over 20 years, she brings deep strategic insight and a personal commitment to making AI accessible, ethical, and empowering — especially for women in business. I started life as a nurse in New Zealand and now I’m a tech leader in AI!
What inspired you to speak at EVOLVE [25]?
I spoke at the Evolve event in Brighton because I believe we’re at a pivotal moment – and people need real, honest conversations about what AI actually means for them. Not the hype, not the fear, but the human side of it. I wanted to show business owners and leaders that this technology isn’t just for Silicon Valley, it’s for Silicon Brighton! It’s for all of us. And when used well, it can unlock clarity, confidence, and real change. For me, it was about cutting through the noise and helping people feel excited, not overwhelmed.
What was the key message or idea you most wanted the audience to take away from your talk?
That genAI is a skill, not a tool. The more experience you have the better you can use the tool.
Were there any audience reactions or questions that really stood out to you?
Yes, one moment really stuck with me. Afterour panel, someone came up and said, “I’ve been afraid to even open ChatGPT because I thought I had to know what I was doing. But now I actually want to try.” So many people are silently overwhelmed or intimidated by AI, and just need someone to say, “It’s OK not to know. Start where you are.” There was also a brilliant question about bias in AI, not from a tech expert, but from a small business owner who was genuinely concerned about using it responsibly. It reminded me that people want to do this well. They just need the space, support and language to get started.
How does the topic you spoke about connect to your current work or passion projects?
Moderating the Brighton AI panel was such a natural fit with my work, because my whole mission is about making AI feel human, accessible, and grounded in the real world. The panel brought together different voices from the local community, and it really reflected what I care about most: collaboration, inclusion, and practical impact. In my day-to-day work with AI Potential, I’m helping organisations move from overwhelm to action with generative AI. So having conversations that cut through the jargon and focus on what actually works – that’s what I love.
What emerging trends or challenges in tech (or your field) are you most excited about right now?
I’m keeping a close eye on how fast things are accelerating, especially with the rise of AI agents. They’re not coming. They’re already here. And they’re going to fundamentally shift how we think about work, productivity, and delegation. The real opportunity is in understanding how to collaborate with these agents, not just automate tasks. That’s the next frontier: teaching people how to lead, question, and guide AI, rather than just react to it. It’s not about replacing humans – it’s about augmenting what we do best.
What advice would you give to someone looking to make an impact in your area of expertise?
Look, you don’t have to become some AI expert overnight. Nobody expects you to know everything, honestly, most of us are still figuring it out as we go. The real magic happens when you get curious and just start playing around with it. Here’s what I’ve found actually works: before you dive into any task, pause for a second and ask yourself, “Wait, could AI help me do this out faster or do it better?” It sounds simple, but that one question changes everything. And when your colleagues see you getting tasks done more efficiently, they’ll start asking how you did it. The other thing? Don’t be one of those people who hoards knowledge. When you discover something awesome, share it! Tell your team about the tool that saved you two hours, or the prompt that actually worked, or even the thing that completely flopped. The leaders in this space aren’t the ones throwing around fancy AI terminology – they’re the ones who stay curious and help everyone else level up too. I get it, AI feels like this massive, intimidating thing. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to take that first step and see where it leads.
How do you see the future evolving in your industry over the next few years?
I think we’re about to see companies split into two camps: the ones that just bolt AI onto what they’re already doing, and the ones that actually rethink everything. Guess which ones will win? The companies that get it won’t just have leadership talking about AI, they’ll have everyone thinking this way. Those are the places that’ll move fast, attract great people, and actually survive whatever comes next. We’re also moving beyond just AI tools. We’re talking about AI that works with you, learns your style, and handles the boring stuff so you can focus on what actually matters. That’s going to completely reshape what jobs look like. But here’s what keeps me up at night: speed isn’t everything. The companies that really nail this will stay human, do the right thing, and never stop learning. Because honestly? The hard part isn’t the technology – it’s getting the culture right. This isn’t just about replacing people with machines. It’s about making everyone better at what they do. And if we’re smart about it, we can use this moment to bring more voices in, not push them out.
What was your favourite part of the EVOLVE experience?
My favorite part was seeing the community come together, it felt like a huge meetup where I knew so many people in the room. Everyone was relaxed, open, and genuinely sharing their experiences. There was this lovely energy throughout the day, and the speakers were absolutely phenomenal. It had that perfect balance of being professional but not too techy. Just a really great day celebrating what’s happening in Brighton’s tech scene.
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects, initiatives, or goals you’re excited to share?
I’ve got so much on my plate right now and I’m honestly so excited about it all. The AI Black Belt training is really taking off. We’re working with more businesses to help them actually use AI properly, not just because it’s AI but because it fits how they work and what they believe in. We’re also doing more work with councils and schools, which is amazing because that’s where you can see AI making a real difference really quickly. Plus we are putting together some new programmes focused on AI confidence and leadership, especially for women and people who don’t usually get heard in these conversations. This whole AI revolution can’t just be the same voices again. We need everyone involved. Behind the scenes, we are building Greenwich Momentum, this platform that helps organisations actually track and scale their AI work responsibly. It’s pretty ambitious, but it brings together everything I care about: helping people learn, getting the culture right, doing things ethically, and actually growing. It feels like we’re at the start of something massive, and I’m absolutely here for it.
What’s one book, podcast, or resource that’s inspired you recently?
A podcast I’ve been really inspired by lately is The TED AI Show, it’s brilliant for making complex ideas feel accessible, without dumbing them down. I also love WorkLife with Adam Grant for the way it explores human behaviour at work. It’s packed with insights that challenge the status quo, which really resonates with how I approach change and culture in AI adoption. Both are a great mix of thought-provoking and practical.
How can people connect with you or follow your work after the event?
mary@aipotential.ai OR https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-kemp-ai/
Anything else you would like to share with our community?
Yes – I’d say this: don’t sit on the sidelines. AI isn’t just for tech experts or big companies anymore. The playing field is levelling fast, and there’s a real window right now for individuals and smaller businesses to step up, experiment, and lead. Stay curious, ask questions, share what you learn, and bring others along with you. This is a moment where courage and collaboration matter more than perfection.