Webinar Recording: Beyond the Hype: AI’s Real Impact on Business Analysis

A panel session with Angela Wick, Ian Richards & Karen Newnham. Chaired by Adrian Reed.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing how organisations operate and evolve their services. But what does this mean for business analysis as a discipline, and for BAs themselves?

In this interactive panel session, we move beyond the headlines to explore the practical implications of AI for business analysis—both in how analysis is undertaken and in the evolving role of the business analyst in AI-related initiatives. 

The session was recorded and can be viewed below:

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In this webinar, we considered how AI tools and techniques may affect analysis tasks. We also discussed the growing opportunity for BAs to contribute to the assessment, implementation, and governance of AI technologies within organisations.

Our panellists bring a range of perspectives from across the profession and will share insights, experiences, and practical considerations. Attendees were encouraged to bring their questions and join the conversation as we reflect on what AI really means now and for the future of business analysis.

During the event, we covered topics such as:

✔️How AI is already influencing the practice of business analysis
✔️The potential for AI to support or reshape key BA tasks
✔️The ethical and organisational considerations BAs should be aware of
✔️The BA’s role in AI-related change initiatives, including evaluating and implementing AI solutions
✔️Skills and competencies that may become increasingly important for BAs in an AI-influenced landscape

Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already working with AI, this is an opportunity to hear a range of views and to contribute to a timely and evolving discussion.

This session was supported by the BA Conference Europe 2025. Find out more about the conference and see the agenda at: https://irmuk.eventsair.com/business-analysis-conference-europe-2025

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About the Panellists

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Angela Wick is a Globally recognized expert in business analysis and product ownership with 25 years of experience leading, teaching, and modernizing analysis practices. Angela is an industry contributor of: Author of: Futureproof (a book about BA and an AI future for BAs), Core Team Member of BABOK v3, Expert Reviewer for Agile Ext to BABOK, and Author of the BA Career Models chapter in Managing Business Analysts. Angela is also the founder and Host of BA-Cube – A learning community for BAs, BA Teams, and BA Managers and a LinkedIn Learning Instructor: Creator/Instructor of courses on Business Analysis & Product Ownership.

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Ian Richards is a Fellow of the BCS, a member of the BCS Business Analysis Leadership Panel, and a previous UK Business Analyst of the Year. Passionate about advancing the profession, he has judged the UK Business Analyst of the Year competition for both IIBA® UK and the UK IT Industry Awards. Co-author of Brainy Glue, a novel on business analysis, Ian contributes to global BA certifications by writing exam questions and reviewing syllabi for both IIBA® and BCS.

He works for Acelo, where he focuses on blending new technology advancements with Business Analysis to influence strategy, operations, and helps sales and marketing functions become more productive. An international speaker, he has presented at the IRM UK Business Analysis Conference Europe since 2014 and regularly shares insights with industry leaders. With 35 years in the British Army Reserves, he brings discipline and strategic thinking to the profession.

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Karen Newnham is the Principal BA at Mining Remediation Authority. With a mission to help all Business Analysts become more impactful, she has more than 25 years experience of IT and Business Change and has led teams at enterprise level organisations both in the public and private sector.