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AI Is Creating a Dangerous Blind Spot for Global Companies (and Most Don’t Even Know It)

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Organizations worldwide are racing to implement artificial intelligence. According to industry reports, 42% of organizations plan to invest in AI-related IT tools within six months, and 77% plan to implement AI initiatives within the next year. But there’s a critical problem most organizations haven’t considered: you can’t effectively deploy AI if you don’t know what IT assets you have.

As CEO of Teqtivity, an IT Asset Management (ITAM) solutions provider, I’ve seen firsthand how organizations struggle with this fundamental challenge. The rush to adopt AI technologies is creating a dangerous blind spot in enterprise technology management.

The Hidden Crisis in IT Asset Management

The current state of IT asset tracking across global organizations is alarming. Nearly 90% of IT administrators are concerned about devices or applications managed outside of IT, with 38% reporting they don’t have the ability or visibility to discover all applications in use. This lack of visibility becomes exponentially more dangerous when you add AI tools to the mix.

For international organizations, the complexity multiplies. Global IT teams must manage technology assets across different time zones, regulatory environments, and operational standards. When departments work in silos (for example: IT focusing on infrastructure, Finance tracking costs, HR managing employee equipment, and Security monitoring compliance), critical gaps emerge.

The financial impact is staggering. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of a data breach has surged to $4.88 million, with 40% of these breaches involving data distributed across multiple environments. Meanwhile, 39% of organizations now spend 26-50% of their IT budget on licensing fees, up from 28% in 2024.

Why AI Makes Asset Management More Critical

Artificial intelligence implementations require unprecedented visibility into your technology ecosystem. AI tools need to integrate with existing systems, access data across platforms, and operate within security frameworks. Without proper IT Asset Management, organizations face several risks:

  • Shadow AI Proliferation: Just as 88% of IT admins report concerns about shadow IT, unauthorized AI tool adoption is becoming a significant governance challenge. Employees are implementing AI solutions independently, creating security vulnerabilities and compliance gaps.
  • Resource Misallocation: 85% of IT administrators want a single tool for IT management, yet 26% still use 11 or more tools. Adding AI solutions to an already fragmented technology stack without proper asset management creates operational chaos.
  • Security Vulnerabilities: With 46% of organizations having experienced a cyberattack, 33% of those being AI-generated attacks, tracking every technology asset becomes critical for security teams.

International IT Asset Management Best Practices

Global organizations require sophisticated ITAM strategies that address cross-border complexities. Effective international IT Asset Management involves several key components:

  • Unified Asset Visibility: Organizations need real-time tracking of hardware, software, and cloud resources across all locations. We recently worked with a client who improved their inventory accuracy from 13% to 95% within one month by implementing proper ITAM processes.
  • Cross-Departmental Integration: Modern ITAM solutions must bridge departmental silos. When IT Asset Management systems integrate with HR onboarding workflows, Finance budgeting systems, and Security monitoring tools, organizations achieve better outcomes across all functions.
  • Automated Compliance Tracking: For international operations, automated compliance monitoring ensures adherence to different regional regulations while maintaining operational efficiency.
  • Lifecycle Management: Proper asset lifecycle management helps organizations optimize their technology investments, reduce waste, and maintain security standards across global operations.

Building the Foundation for AI Success

Organizations that establish robust IT Asset Management practices before implementing AI initiatives gain significant competitive advantages. While many leaders believe AI is outpacing their organization’s ability to protect against threats, companies with mature ITAM practices are turning this challenge into an opportunity.

Proper asset management enables:

  • Strategic AI Deployment: Understanding your current technology landscape helps identify the best integration points for AI tools. Rather than adding AI solutions randomly across departments, organizations with complete asset visibility can map AI capabilities to existing workflows and ensure new AI tools complement rather than conflict with current systems. This prevents the IT sprawl that already affects teams.
  • Risk Mitigation: Complete asset visibility supports security teams in protecting against AI-driven threats. With AI-generated attacks becoming more common, security teams need real-time visibility into every endpoint, application, and data flow. ITAM provides the foundation for security models by ensuring every asset is accounted for, monitored, and properly configured. When security teams know exactly what technology they have and where it’s deployed, they can respond to threats quickly and effectively.
  • Cost Optimization: Clear visibility into technology spending helps organizations make informed decisions about AI investments. With licensing fees consuming an increasing portion of IT budgets, organizations cannot afford to add AI tools without understanding their current technology spend. ITAM enables teams to identify underutilized resources, consolidate redundant tools, and allocate AI budgets strategically.
  • Compliance Assurance: Proper asset management supports regulatory requirements across different markets. As AI regulations evolve globally, organizations need comprehensive documentation of how AI tools access, process, and store data. ITAM provides the framework that compliance teams require to demonstrate responsible AI deployment across international operations.
  • Operational Excellence: Mature ITAM practices enable the cross-departmental collaboration required for AI success. When IT, Finance, HR, and Security teams share real-time asset data, they can coordinate AI deployments that serve business objectives rather than departmental silos. This collaborative approach transforms AI from a technology experiment into a strategic business enabler.

Organizations that invest in foundational ITAM practices before pursuing AI initiatives are positioning themselves for sustainable competitive advantage.

The Path Forward

As AI reshapes every industry, organizations with complete asset visibility, cross-departmental alignment, and proactive technology management will set the pace while others struggle to catch up.

Before your organization makes its next AI investment, ask yourself: Do you know exactly what technology assets you have, where they are, and how they’re being used? If the answer is no, you’re not ready for AI. But with the right IT Asset Management foundation, you can position your organization to succeed in the AI gold rush while maintaining security, compliance, and operational excellence.

For more information about IT Asset Management solutions for global organizations, visit www.teqtivity.com.



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Exploring AI and Emerging Technologies: A Special Event for UK Schools for Girls

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This was the second edition of the annual ‘AI Educational Revolution’ event. This hybrid event is co-organised by UCL Computer Science, GSA (Girls School Association) and Guernsey Ladies’ College. The series was developed as a way of inspiring secondary school girls to explore AI and STEM opportunities and to consider how they can shape their own futures in these rapidly evolving fields.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries across the globe, influencing everything from global politics to creative sectors such as fashion. This year’s event offered students a unique opportunity to learn about the role of AI in shaping the future, with a focus on how AI is revolutionising careers and education.

 

Keynote Speakers and Topics

Leading experts from UCL, the government, and industry took to the stage to discuss AI’s impact on various sectors. The session covered everything from AI in geopolitics to its creative applications, with a particular emphasis on how these technologies are influencing education, career paths, and social inclusion.

Predicting Our Future: The Role of STEM

Insight on AI and Geopolitics
Ms. Jo Miller, Director of Technology at the UK Civil Service, kicked off the event with a thought-provoking talk about the vital role STEM and AI play in global geopolitics and technological futures.

The Power of Women in AI
Jo highlighted the importance of women and girls in shaping AI’s future. She posed the question, “What do you want the future to say?” and encouraged the audience to engage with AI to influence its direction.

Overcoming Barriers in Tech
Drawing from her own career in tech, Jo shared how her humanities background didn’t hinder her success. She urged students to pursue their ambitions in tech, regardless of their starting point.

AI in Education: Shaping the Future

AI and Career Paths
Daniele Harford-Fox, Principal of Guernsey Ladies’ College, discussed how AI is reshaping both education and the workforce. She highlighted the significant impact AI could have on professions like medicine, where many tasks may be automated.

The Importance of Human Skills in Some Fields
While AI may transform many areas, Daniele pointed out that certain roles, such as nursing, will still require human expertise and care, stressing the importance of these skills in the workforce of the future.

AI in Multisensory Experiences

Engaging the Senses
Prof. Marianna Obrist (Multi-Sensory Devices Lab at UCL Computer Science) introduced the concept of “AI in Multisensory Experiences.” She showcased how AI is enabling new ways to interact with the world through multiple senses, creating richer, more engaging experiences.

Humanising Technology
Her research focuses on incorporating more ‘humaness’ into technology. Prof. Obrist demonstrated how sensory experiences are being used in places like retail outlets and museums, as well as in therapeutic settings, such as using scent to enhance body image perception.

AI in Fashion and Beauty

AI’s Impact on Creative Industries
Prof. Philip Treleaven from UCL discussed how AI technologies, including ChatGPT, are transforming the fashion and beauty sectors. He highlighted the use of AI to create digital influencers, automate processes like dexterous sewing robots, and help brands like Shein to capitalise on trends and produce designs at an unprecedented pace.

AI for Social Inclusion

AI’s Potential for Education
Steve Grix, an expert in GENAIE and CAPTR, concluded the talks by discussing the use of AI for social inclusion. He introduced GENAIE, a generative AI platform designed to personalise education for disadvantaged communities.

AI Bridging Educational Gaps
Steve demonstrated how quickly GENAIE could generate lesson plans, showcasing its potential to bridge educational gaps and offer new learning opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.
 

UCAS Applications and Q&A Session

In addition to the expert talks, students were given guidance on making a UCAS application. The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where students had the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with the speakers. The students’ thoughtful and ethical questions impressed the expert panel, sparking deeper discussions about the future role of AI in shaping both careers and society.

When asked for final thoughts, some of the students concluded the concepts and predictions gave them cause to think, but they wouldn’t let it deter them from their career aspirations. 

As AI continues to revolutionise a broad range of industries, this event provides an invaluable platform for students to engage with the technologies that will shape their futures. It also highlighted the importance of diverse input into the development of AI and the opportunities for young women to drive change in this field.



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China’s first bachelor’s program in AI education to address teacher shortage-Xinhua

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A student operates an AI-powered VR device at Shenzhen Xiantian Foreign Language School in south China’s Guangdong Province, March 21, 2025. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) — Beijing Normal University (BNU) has launched China’s first undergraduate program dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) education, aiming to address a critical shortage of specialized teachers in the field.

The initiative aligns with government directives to boost AI education across primary and secondary schools nationwide, the Science and Technology Daily reported on Wednesday.

In late 2024, the Ministry of Education issued a directive calling for measures to advance AI education in primary and secondary schools.

This year, Beijing’s municipal authorities issued a dedicated AI education plan for 2025-2027, demanding the establishment of regular teaching systems and standardized curricula.

“The shortage of qualified instructors and the lack of specialized training remain major obstacles,” said an official from BNU’s Faculty of Education, adding that the program’s core mission is to train educators equipped with both advanced AI technical skills and strong pedagogical expertise.

“We are leveraging our unique interdisciplinary strengths to cultivate talent that supports the country’s strategic drive toward intelligent education,” the official said.

Unlike purely technical AI degrees, BNU’s AI Education program integrates two essential knowledge streams. The curriculum combines an AI technology module, covering generative AI, machine learning, natural language processing, and educational data mining, with a foundation in education science, including learning theory, psychology, curriculum design and assessment.

The program also plans to introduce practical innovation courses, such as the application of AI technologies in education.

In addition, compulsory courses cover topics such as AI ethics and data security, instilling in students a core philosophy of “technology serving education,” according to BNU.

Beyond theory, the program fosters practical skills through a unique “university-enterprise-school” collaborative training model, which helps immerse students in real-world teaching environments and technical development projects.

Career prospects in the AI education field are broad, with graduates well-prepared to become AI or information technology teachers, driving digital transformation in primary and secondary schools.

The booming educational technology sector also needs their expertise to develop and refine AI-driven learning platforms and courses. Further career paths include academic research, educational management, and shaping AI education policy, according to the BNU’s Faculty of Education.

“AI advancements are reshaping society at unprecedented rates, profoundly altering education,” said Yu Shengquan, executive director of BNU’s Advanced Innovation Center for Future Education.

“Developing ‘digital citizens’ equipped for this new reality is now a central educational imperative,” Yu added.

The center has previously partnered with Chinese tech giant Tencent to develop a comprehensive AI knowledge framework and curriculum spanning elementary, middle and high school levels, according to Yu. 



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Osborne Clarke strengthens AI capabilities: Marc Ohrendorf appointed Chief of Staff to the international AI Management Board

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Osborne Clarke is expanding its AI team in a key strategic role: Marc Ohrendorf, a recognised expert in legal tech and artificial intelligence, is joining as Chief of Staff to the AI Management Board. In this position, he will enhance international collaboration on AI within the firm and support the implementation of Osborne Clarke’s global AI strategy.

In his new role, Marc Ohrendorf will provide operational support to the international AI Management Board (AIMB) and work closely with teams across jurisdictions. The Board, led Osborne Clarke partner Gereon Abendroth, oversees the firm’s AI initiatives. As a central link between management, legal professionals, and technology development, Marc will play a pivotal role in executing the firm’s AI strategy and coordinating AI-related efforts across offices.

As a pioneer in the legal sector, Osborne Clarke has long focused on delivering legal services through innovative and technology-driven solutions. To harness the potential of generative AI, the firm established a high-calibre team of AI experts and created the necessary infrastructure at an early stage. Notably, Osborne Clarke was among the first law firms to develop and successfully implement its own AI chatbot to optimise internal workflows – a clear example of its commitment to embedding AI in day-to-day operations.

With over ten years of experience in digital product management, legal tech and the legal market, Marc combines legal expertise with a sound understanding of technology. He is the founder and host of the career podcast ‘Irgendwas mit Recht’, which has been shedding light on personalities and developments in the legal sector since 2018. Previous positions have taken him to Wolters Kluwer Germany (LTO.de) and the IWW Institute, where he was responsible for digital business models and product development in leading roles. He is an honorary director at the Bucerius Center on the Legal Profession, where he works on the interface between law, digitalisation and AI.

The transformation of legal services through AI is one of the defining challenges of our time – and also a tremendous opportunity for Osborne Clarke. We’re delighted to welcome Marc Ohrendorf, a professional who combines strategic vision, technological know-how, and deep insight into the legal market,” says Gereon Abendroth,  Chair of the international AI Management Board.



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