Alastair McDermott

AI Business Consultant

Author · Speaker · Podcaster

I guide business leaders to implement Human-First AI strategies that deliver remarkable efficiency while preserving what matters – your people.

As founder of HumanSpark.ai, I’ve transformed organizations by letting robots handle the boring stuff while humans do what they do best. The results speak for themselves: processing times slashed by 92%, operational costs cut by 90%, and capacity increased 12X – all without sacrificing jobs or souls to the algorithm gods.

My approach is simple: AI handles the repetitive tasks (because spreadsheets deserve no human love) while your team focuses on higher-value work. Just ask the lab scientists who now spend time actually sciencing instead of administration, achieving an ROI exceeding 10,000% in the first year. That’s not a typo – your CFO just got butterflies.

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

How We Can Help

With over 18 years of experience running a business and guiding fellow business leaders through complex technical and strategic challenges, Alastair McDermott brings a uniquely powerful combination of technical depth and human-centered business understanding. His deep background in software development and sharp business acumen are amplified by exceptional communication skills. Alastair is a sought-after speaker on business strategy, future-forward marketing, and the transformative power of Human-First AI. He provides business leaders with actionable, strategic guidance on integrating AI in a way that empowers their teams and builds sustainable success. At HumanSpark.ai, we believe AI’s greatest potential lies in augmenting human expertise, not replacing it.

HumanSpark.ai Services and Solutions: Building Human-First AI Strategies

HumanSpark.ai offers a comprehensive suite of services specifically crafted to address the critical challenges businesses face when adopting AI responsibly and effectively:
  • Human-First AI Readiness Assessment: Go beyond technical audits. We evaluate your processes, systems, data, and crucially, your team’s readiness for Human-First AI. Identify high-impact use cases that enhance human capabilities and foster workforce stability.
  • Human-First AI Training and Literacy Programs: Empower your team to embrace AI as a partner. We conduct engaging workshops to build AI understanding, promote ethical AI principles, and cultivate a culture of human-AI collaboration and innovation.
  • Human-First AI Strategy and Policy Development: Craft a strategic AI roadmap rooted in human-centered values. We develop robust policies that prioritize data privacy, ethical AI use, transparency, and workforce well-being, ensuring responsible innovation.
  • Human-Augmented AI Solution Implementation: Integrate AI tools that amplify human expertise and streamline workflows, not replace human roles. We help you deploy AI assistants, intelligent automation for data and document tasks, and advanced analytics to enhance human decision-making.
  • Ongoing Human-Centric AI Optimization: Ensure your AI initiatives remain aligned with Human-First principles and deliver lasting value for both your business and your team. We provide continuous evaluation of evolving AI, regular audits focused on data quality, ethical considerations, workforce impact, and long-term sustainability.
Partnering with HumanSpark.ai empowers you to:
  • Transform AI complexity into a clear, actionable, and human-centered strategy.
  • Pinpoint optimal areas for Human-First AI integration that empower your workforce.
  • Establish effective systems, processes, ethical guidelines, and transparent policies that build trust and foster responsible AI use.
  • Proactively address team concerns, improve internal communication, and cultivate a positive and collaborative AI-ready culture.
  • Streamline workflows, boost productivity, and enhance efficiency through human-AI partnerships.
  • Elevate decision-making capabilities by augmenting human judgment with intelligent AI insights.
Ready to unlock the power of Human-First AI and spark a new era of growth for your business and your people? Contact HumanSpark.ai today to schedule a consultation and begin your human-centered AI journey.

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

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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.