Alastair McDermott

AI Business Consultant

Author · Speaker · Podcaster

AI doesn’t need to eat your workforce for breakfast.

I guide business leaders to implement Human-First AI strategies that deliver remarkable efficiency without sacrificing your greatest asset – your people. Because contrary to the tech hype cycle, the robots don’t actually need all the jobs.

Let’s be honest… most AI implementations fail spectacularly. They either gather dust as expensive digital paperweights or create chaos when deployed without strategy. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

At HumanSpark.ai, I’ve transformed organisations by creating systems where robots handle the mind-numbing tedium while humans do what they do best – think, create, and connect. The results? Processing times slashed by 92%, operational costs cut by 90%, and capacity increased 12X – without anyone updating their LinkedIn profile in panic.

My approach isn’t complicated:

  • AI handles the repetitive tasks (because no human should waste their finite existence on spreadsheets)
  • Your team focuses on higher-value work that actually requires a pulse
  • Everyone goes home feeling useful rather than obsolete

Just ask the lab scientists who now spend time actually sciencing instead of administrative drudgery, achieving an ROI exceeding 10,000% in the first year. (Ten-thousand percent ROI it’s not a typo – your CFO just got butterflies).

I’m pro-AI done right. I’m against AI done carelessly. The gap between these approaches is massive.

With over 18 years of experience guiding business leaders through complex technical challenges, I bring a rare combination of deep technical understanding and uncompromising human focus. I’ve seen both brilliant AI implementations and catastrophic failures – and the dividing line is almost always how humans are factored into the equation.

Whether you’re AI-curious or need to rescue initiatives that are currently failing, I’ll help you create systems where humans and machines complement each other without one plotting the other’s obsolescence.

Who benefits from this approach? Your business, your people, and your conscience.

Ready for AI that amplifies human potential rather than replacing it? Let’s talk.

Books: Expert Authority Builder Series

Alastair has written a number of books, workbooks, and practical guides, including the Expert Authority Builder series.

  1. An Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Using AI [2024] – published by Authority Press
  2. The AI-Powered Thought Leader [Coming Q4 2024] – published by Authority Press
  3. Quick-Win Content [2023] – published by Authority Press
  4. Efficient Content Creation [2023] – published by Authority Press
  5. Your Podcast Launch Workbook [2022] – published by Authority Press
  6. 33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Business Podcast [2022] – published by Networlding
  7. How to Sound & Look Good on Zoom & Podcasts [2022] – published by Oak Tree Press
  8. Running a Website with WordPress [2015] – published by WebsiteDoctor

Work in progress (2025+):

  • Recognized: How to Become Known as a Recognized Authority in Your Field so You Can Command Premium Fees., Work Less Hours, and Never Have to Suffer a Bad-Fit Client Again [Late 2025]
  • Niching Down: How to Grow Your Consulting Business Through Specialization [Late 2025]

Recent AI Speaking Appearances

  • Podcast Appearance: AI Tips for Business on The I Know a Guy podcast with Anthony Markey – Nov 5, 2024
  • Podcast Appearance: All About AI on The Social Media Takeaway podcast with Louise McDonnell – Nov 1, 2024
  • Speaking Engagement: Artificial Intelligence Essentials at Emerging Technologies, Belmullet – Oct 24, 2024
  • Speaking Engagement: Artificial Intelligence Essentials at Meet Mayo – Oct 18, 2024
  • Workshop: Intro to AI Workshop – Sep 17, 2024
  • Workshop: Intro to AI for Small Business for Udaras – July 25, 2024
  • Speaking Engagement: AI Beyond the Hype – May 10, 2024
  • Workshop: Mastering AI and ChatGPT for LEO Roscommon – Mar 5, 2024
  • Speaking Engagement: AI in Sustainable Tourism for Udáras na Gaeltachta – Oct 20, 2023
  • Workshop: Mastering AI and ChatGPT for LEO Mayo – Oct 17, 2023
  • Podcast Appearance: Leveraging AI on the Unbillable Hours podcast – October 14, 2023
  • Workshop: Mastering AI and ChatGPT for LEO Roscommon – Jul 11, 2023

Alastair's Podcast Guest Appearances

Get regular updates on AI strategies that work.

You're almost there!

I turn AI tech & strategy into clear, actionable insights. You’ll discover how to leverage AI, how to integrate it strategically to get a competitive edge, automate tedious tasks, and improve business decision-making.

– Alastair.