Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to shape conversations across industries - from construction to software to strategic consulting. But amid the excitement, not everyone is entirely convinced by the narrative of rapid transformation.

Nick Clements, Managing Director and Founder of YourQS, calls himself a sceptical advocate of AI: someone who believes in the technology’s long-term potential but questions the substance behind today’s marketing spin.

Nick is also a long-time colleague and partner of mine, I sat down with him to explore where AI really stands – and what’s worth paying attention to.

 

The Sceptical Advocate

David Mitchell: Nick, you’ve described yourself as a “sceptical advocate” of AI. What do you mean by that?

Nick Clements: It’s pretty simple – I think AI has incredible potential, but I’m not sold on the idea that it’s already delivering what people claim it is. There’s a lot of noise, and not all of it reflects reality. I’m not anti-AI – I just think we need to temper our expectations and separate marketing from actual capability.

 

The Hype Curve

David: So is this mostly about overpromising?

Nick: In large part, yes. A lot of the public conversation sounds like science fiction. People talk about AI as if it’s on the brink of solving everything – it reminds me of imagining a Deuterium-3 powered fusion engine that bends time so we can travel galaxies in seconds. Fascinating idea, but we’re nowhere near that. It’s the same with AI – people extrapolate too far from what we actually have.

 

Creativity vs. Credibility

David: Is there value in that kind of speculative thinking?

Nick: Absolutely. I’ve been guilty of it myself – you write something ambitious in an R&D proposal, then realise later, “Hey, that’s actually a decent idea,” and build on it. So dreaming big has its place. But we also need to be credible and grounded in what’s deliverable right now.

 

Is It Really AI?

David: You’ve been critical of how AI is marketed. What’s the issue?

Nick: The term “AI” is being used way too loosely. A lot of what’s marketed as AI is really just traditional algorithms with a new label slapped on. It’s more about selling a story than solving a problem. There’s also this mindset – if AI is your hammer, every problem starts to look like a nail. That’s not how good problem-solving works.

 

The AI PC Dilemma

David: Let’s talk about AI PCs – are they worth it?

Nick: Honestly, not yet. Gartner estimates only about 24% of employees will actually benefit from enhanced NPU capabilities by 2028. Lenovo’s saying AI PCs won’t become the norm until 2027 or 2028. Right now, it’s experimental – everyone’s testing the waters but no one has found that killer use case yet. Without that, AI PCs are a hard sell.

 

The Problem with “Futureproofing”

David: What about the idea of futureproofing – is that a good enough reason to invest now?

Nick: I don’t think so. As Gartner’s Ranjit Atwal pointed out, most buyers won’t pay a premium unless there’s clear and immediate value. “Futureproofing” only works if there’s a defined return on investment. Otherwise, it’s just a fancy way of saying “we hope this might be useful later.”

 

So Where Should We Focus?

David: What should businesses be focusing on when it comes to AI?

Nick: Focus on practical use cases that solve real problems and improve workflows. Be specific: how does this tool improve productivity, decision-making, or cost-efficiency? If you can’t answer that clearly, you probably don’t need the tool – at least not yet. And don’t adopt AI just to tick a box or chase a trend.

 

Looking Ahead – With Caution

David: Are you optimistic about the future of AI?

Nick: I am, but with conditions. The long-term potential is massive – no doubt about it. But for now, we need to stop pretending that we’re already living in that future. Let’s work with what we can do today and stop over-promising what we might do tomorrow.

 

(Nick Clements: image via LinkedIn)

About the Interviewee

Nick Clements is a Director and Founder of YourQS, a consultancy specialising in digital construction, project costing, and 3D-enabled estimating. With a background in construction management and a deep interest in emerging technologies, Nick bridges the gap between technical promise and operational reality.

 

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