What I do

Strategy, delivery, and rapid exploration — matched to where you actually are.

Dr Alec Burns presenting on robotics and AI to a university class

Core services

Three engagement types

Pricing shape: every engagement is scoped with a fixed or capped fee before work starts — so you know the ceiling upfront. Typical ranges: strategy sprints are often 1–2 weeks; rapid exploration is often a few days to a week; technical support can be a focused sprint or a retainer, depending on what you need.

A clear view of where AI and emerging technology can create real value in your organisation — and a plan you can actually execute. I work directly with leadership and stakeholders, grounded in your operations and constraints.

I've delivered board-approved AI strategies for organisations with 15,000+ employees. The goal: a strategy you can move on, starting with quick wins that build internal momentum.

Technology opportunity assessments

Roadmaps and prioritisation workshops

Vendor and build/buy evaluations

Stakeholder and board-ready briefings

Typical timeline: 1–2 weeks

For teams that have started building but need senior technical input — on architecture, tooling, integration, or quality. I work alongside your engineers, not from a distance.

I've shipped multi-agent AI systems at production scale, launched regulated blockchain products, and led cross-functional teams. I operate at both the strategic and implementation level — board and engineering in the same week.

Architecture design and review

Prototype and MVP development

Integration and deployment support

Code review and quality assurance

Typical format: Flexible — focused engagement or ongoing retainer

The fastest way to kill a bad idea — or validate a good one — is to build something. Not a concept slide. Not a feasibility document. A working proof of concept that people can use, test, and react to.

I build functional prototypes and proofs of concept at speed, so decisions get made on evidence rather than assumption. Most rapid explorations are complete within a week — including a clear recommendation on whether to proceed, pivot, or stop.

Feasibility studies and risk assessments

Proof-of-concept builds

Competitive and landscape analysis

Pilot design and facilitation

Typical timeline: 3–5 days

Domains

Technologies I work with

Three core domains where I've shipped real systems and can move quickly. I also work across adjacent areas — IoT, robotics, AR/VR, and emerging interfaces — where they intersect with the core three.

Artificial intelligence

Machine learning, large language models, computer vision, NLP, decision systems, multi-agent and agentic AI

Blockchain & distributed ledger

Ethereum, Cosmos, Hyperledger, tokenisation, DeFi, supply chain traceability, protocol design

Digital identity

Verifiable credentials, decentralised identity, zero-knowledge proofs, identity governance

Process

How an engagement works

Discovery conversation

A straightforward conversation about what you're trying to achieve, where you are now, and what's getting in the way. Usually 30–60 minutes.

Scope and proposal

I come back with a clear scope, timeline, and fixed or capped fee. You'll know exactly what you're paying before any work starts. If I don't think I'm the right fit, I'll say so.

Delivery

Focused, fast execution. You work directly with me throughout — the same person from kickoff to handover. That could be a week-long strategy sprint, a 3-day prototype build, or an ongoing advisory retainer.

Handover and next steps

Every engagement ends with a clear handover. You get the deliverables, the knowledge, and honest guidance on what comes next — not a cliffhanger designed to sell more work.

Selected work

What delivery looks like

Strategy & Advisory Industrial services · Altrad

Board-approved in 2 weeks · scaling company-wide

Sole AI consultant for Altrad, a multi-billion-dollar industrial services group with 15,000+ employees. Board-approved AI strategy across three business units, with a multi-year roadmap covering operations, finance, HR, and client services. Now expanding to company-wide rollout.

Read the full story

Technical & Product Support Financial Services / Public Sector

Onboarding: days to minutes

Led the technical design of a blockchain-based digital identity platform for banks and government in Southeast Asia. Verifiable credentials, decentralised identity, and regulatory alignment — from architecture through to a working pilot.

Rapid Exploration Financial Services

70% reduction in manual review

Designed and built agentic AI tools for financial services — QA automation, a knowledge base agent, and a company insights engine. First working agents delivered in one week.

Technical & Product Support Legal Tech

From feasibility study to launched product

Tech design and feasibility for a blockchain-based document signing solution. Validated the approach and informed the architecture. The client went on to build a successful product and company around it.