The AI Scale-Up Challenge

We're convening a small group of energy, utility and infrastructure leaders for an honest dialogue about what it really takes to operationalise AI – and why so many initiatives stall.

The session will explore Agentic AI: systems that move beyond insights to take action within workflows, under appropriate human oversight.

You'll hear about real implementations, candid lessons (including failures), and the practical foundations required for AI to deliver at scale.

When? Thursday 23 April
Where? Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen
Price? Free.Space are limited. Register your interest and one of our team will be in touch.

Speakers

Connect with world-class AI leaders

Aakash Gupta
Vice President - Head of AI & Analytics Services - EMEA & APAC EXL

Aakash Gupta is a leader in AI, analytics and data, currently Vice President at EXL, focused on turning AI capabilities into scalable business impact. With over 18 years of global experience, he is a recognised voice on intelligent systems and the rise of agentic AI. His work focuses on how autonomous agents can transform industries including energy and utilities, media, telecom, CPG, retail and ecommerce, travel and logistics, hospitality, manufacturing, and high-tech by enabling proactive reasoning and execution beyond automation. He combines deep technical expertise with a pragmatic deployment approach to help organisations convert emerging innovation into sustainable commercial value.

Naval Khanna
Vice President , Head of AI Consulting - EMEA & APAC, EXL

Naval Khanna is a technology leader heading EXL’s AI Consulting and Digital Transformation practice, driving AI-led initiatives across EMEA and APAC. With over 20 years of experience, he advises global organisations on scaling digital ecosystems and translating AI potential into operational outcomes. He combines strategic leadership with technical delivery expertise to unlock measurable commercial value from data and AI, enabling sustainable, real-world impact for clients.

The AI Scale-Up Challenge

Why Attend

This conversation is for leaders who are ready to move beyond experimentation.You'll leave with:

  • Peer insight
    Frank perspectives from leaders who've navigated the pilot-to-production journey, including what failed and why

  • Expert guidance
    Deep expertise on the data, integration, and governance foundations that enable safe AI deployment in regulated industries

  • Strategic clarity
    A framework for deciding where to focus investment rather than continuing pilots that may never scale

  • Exclusive resources
    White paper, case studies, and implementation examples

  • This conversation is for leaders who are ready to move beyond experimentation.

The AI Scale-Up Challenge

The Three Barriers to Production AI

Our research and client work reveal three consistent roadblocks:

  • Data Readiness
    Siloed data, inadequate governance, and lack of operational contextualisation

  • Integration Complexity
    The difficulty of embedding AI into the workflows where decisions actually happen

  • Operational Confidence
    Uncertainty about trust, adoption, and sustainability at enterprise scale

The AI Scale-Up Challenge

80% of enterprise AI pilots never reach production.

  • The technology works.

  • The use cases are compelling.

  • Yet somewhere between proof-of-concept and enterprise deployment, momentum dies.

If this sounds familiar, you're facing the same challenge as your peers: turning AI experiments into operational systems that deliver sustainable business value in regulated, complex environments.

Register Interest

Spaces are limited. Please register interest now to secure yours.

By submitting your details, you agree to receive communications regarding our events. You can withdraw your consent at any time by contact Mearns & Gill or clicking unsubscribe.

Partners

Mearns & Gill events is partnering with EXL, a global analytics and digital operations firm specialising in utilities, energy, and infrastructure. EXL helps organisations operationalise AI—embedding intelligence into workflows and enabling effective human-AI collaboration to achieve measurable performance improvement and ROI.

© 2026. All rights reserved.

Agenda

18:30 - XXXXX
19:00 - XXXXXX
19:30 - xxxxx
19:30 - xxxxx
19:30 - xxxxx
20:00 - xxxx

  • Peer insight
    Frank perspectives from leaders who've navigated the pilot-to-production journey, including what failed and why

  • Expert guidance
    Deep expertise on the data, integration, and governance foundations that enable safe AI deployment in regulated industries

  • Strategic clarity
    A framework for deciding where to focus investment rather than continuing pilots that may never scale

  • Exclusive resources
    White paper, case studies, and implementation examples

  • This conversation is for leaders who are ready to move beyond experimentation.

HOSTED BY INDUSTRY-LEADING EXPERTS

Aakash Gupta
Vice President - Head of AI & Analytics Services - EMEA & APAC EXL

Aakash Gupta is a leader in AI, analytics and data, currently Vice President at EXL, focused on turning AI capabilities into scalable business impact. With over 18 years of global experience, he is a recognised voice on intelligent systems and the rise of agentic AI. His work focuses on how autonomous agents can transform industries including energy and utilities, media, telecom, CPG, retail and ecommerce, travel and logistics, hospitality, manufacturing, and high-tech by enabling proactive reasoning and execution beyond automation. He combines deep technical expertise with a pragmatic deployment approach to help organisations convert emerging innovation into sustainable commercial value.

Naval Khanna
Vice President , Head of AI Consulting - EMEA & APAC, EXL

Naval Khanna is a technology leader heading EXL’s AI Consulting and Digital Transformation practice, driving AI-led initiatives across EMEA and APAC. With over 20 years of experience, he advises global organisations on scaling digital ecosystems and translating AI potential into operational outcomes. He combines strategic leadership with technical delivery expertise to unlock measurable commercial value from data and AI, enabling sustainable, real-world impact for clients.

Partners

Mearns & Gill events is partnering with EXL, a global analytics and digital operations firm specialising in utilities, energy, and infrastructure. EXL helps organisations operationalise AI - embedding intelligence into workflows and enabling effective human-AI collaboration to achieve measurable performance improvement and ROI.

© 2026. All rights reserved.