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The AI Build Race Is Missing the Human Brain, by Stephen Fahey, Founder
Human-centred AI

The AI Build Race Is Missing the Human Brain

By Stephen Fahey · Founder, Steve’s AI Learning & Development Services

As the AI industry races to build more powerful products and agentic workflows, what will all of this require from the human brain? Stephen Fahey explores the pressure on brain capital, the broader meaning of AI fluency, and why human readiness deserves a central place in AI adoption.

Drawing on his learning and development perspective, Stephen considers how organisations can protect critical thinking and independent judgement. The article introduces his emerging thinking on a Human Adoption Diagnostic and a Human Readiness Review, with an emphasis on learning, testing and validation.

Download article PDF · 7 pages
Cover of Australian AI commerce: Agentic shopping calls for human trust, by Stephen Fahey, September 2026
Retail & AI

Australian AI commerce: Agentic shopping calls for human trust

By Stephen Fahey · AI-assisted research synthesis

As AI assistants begin to shape how shoppers discover, compare and choose products, Australian retailers face a new question: how can their brands remain visible and trusted? This report explores the relationship between agentic shopping, loyalty programmes and the human recommendations that underpin customer confidence.

Written for medium-sized and larger retailers and their leaders, this ongoing research introduces an experimental AI Commerce Readiness Scorecard and an initial outside-in assessment of Cotton On Group. It offers a starting point for examining AI readiness while keeping human judgement, customer trust and workforce capability at the centre.

Download report PDF · 8 pages