By West Midlands News
Thousands of technology leaders, entrepreneurs and investors have gathered in Lisbon this week for the annual Web Summit, with artificial intelligence once again dominating the conversation.
But this year, the debate is moving beyond ChatGPT-style tools and image generators. The focus is increasingly on what comes next, particularly autonomous AI systems capable of carrying out tasks with little or no human involvement.
Among those speaking at the event was Babak Hodjat, Chief Technology Officer for AI at Cognizant and one of the pioneers behind the technology that later became Apple’s Siri.
His message was straightforward: powerful AI systems need strong safeguards.
Hodjat warned against allowing autonomous AI agents unrestricted access to computers and networks, arguing that giving such systems complete control could create serious security risks.
The comments reflect a growing shift in the technology industry. The question is no longer whether AI will transform the way businesses operate. That is already happening. The debate is increasingly about how much freedom these systems should be given and who is accountable when things go wrong.
For businesses across the West Midlands, it is an issue that is becoming harder to ignore.
From manufacturers in the Black Country and automotive firms in Coventry to professional services companies in Birmingham, organisations are investing heavily in artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, reduce costs and automate routine tasks.
Yet alongside the opportunities come concerns about cyber security, data protection and governance.
Industry leaders are keen to avoid a situation where companies deploy increasingly capable AI systems without understanding the risks. The fear is that poorly designed systems could create vulnerabilities that criminals or hostile actors may seek to exploit.
What was once a discussion about chatbots answering customer queries is rapidly becoming a much bigger conversation about trust, accountability and control.
The Web Summit has often provided a glimpse of where technology is heading next. This year’s conference suggests the race is now moving towards AI agents, digital assistants capable of carrying out complex tasks, making decisions and interacting with other systems on behalf of users.
Supporters believe the technology could deliver huge productivity gains. Critics argue the industry is moving faster than regulators can keep up.
For the West Midlands, a region seeking to establish itself as a hub for digital innovation, cyber security and advanced manufacturing, the outcome of that debate matters.
Businesses want the benefits of artificial intelligence, but they also want confidence that the systems they are adopting are safe, secure and reliable.
As the conversations continue in Lisbon, one thing is clear. The next chapter of artificial intelligence will not be about chatbots. It will be about how much decision-making humans are prepared to hand over to machines and whether the safeguards can keep pace with the technology.
