On Tuesday 14th January, we were delighted to welcome local business leaders to Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham for our first in‑person event of the year.
The session invited attendees to reflect on the technological developments of 2025 and explore what lies ahead in 2026, with a particular focus on cyber security and artificial intelligence.
Welcome & Introduction
The day opened with a warm welcome from Marketing Manager Connor Thomas, who introduced the overarching theme of the event before presenting our guest speaker, Microsoft Technology Strategist Andy Porter, representing our partners at Giacom.
Reflecting on 2025: Cyber Security and AI Developments
Connor began with an overview of the cyber security landscape in 2025, noting that 43% of UK businesses and 30% of charities reported experiencing a cyber breach or attack within the last year. This equates to an estimated 612,000 businesses and 61,000 charities (gov.uk).
Alongside these figures, he discussed the growing role of AI – not only as a tool to enhance productivity but also as a crucial element in modern cyber defence strategies.
In addition to the statistics, we took a moment to look back at some of the more unusual yet thought‑provoking stories from the tech world.
These ranged from Minecraft servers running on lightbulbs to the rapid evolution of AI voice technology. Connor also highlighted the heightened attention on supply‑chain security following several major cyber incidents throughout the year.
Together, these examples underscored the expanding influence of AI and the importance of resilience across all areas of business.
Looking Ahead: Technology Predictions for 2026
We then turned our attention to the year ahead. One of the key insights shared was the expectation that global ransomware incidents will rise by 40% in 2026, driven by the emergence of autonomous malware and AI‑enabled attack methods (insuretechdigital.com).
Connor concluded this section by outlining ITC Service’s predictions for how business IT will continue to evolve over the coming year, offering a forward‑looking view of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Interactive Session: Assessing Risks and Opportunities
Following the presentation, Connor led an interactive exercise designed to help attendees evaluate five common risks associated with cyber security and AI adoption.
Each risk was introduced and discussed before attendees ranked them based on their own knowledge and experience. This activity encouraged collaboration, providing space for participants to share their own insights and with the inclusion of a ‘wild card’ option.
We then revisited the activity with a more positive perspective, focusing on the opportunities emerging from advancements in AI and cyber security. Discussions touched on areas such as secure AI‑driven productivity, cloud management, and the growing importance of big data.
Connor closed the session by encouraging attendees to view AI not as a competitor, but as a powerful tool that enhances human capability.
Rather than competing with AI or even competing through AI, he reframed it as a concept of partnership – AI working with you, amplifying what you can achieve – AI to the power of you.
Whether embraced enthusiastically or cautiously, AI is now a fundamental part of the business landscape, and success lies in harnessing it collaboratively.
Microsoft Work Trend Index 2025: Insights from Andy Porter
Our guest speaker, Andy Porter, then took to the floor to introduce findings from Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index – a global research initiative designed to help leaders understand the evolving nature of work.
Combining large‑scale data signals with human insight, the Index illustrates how business demands increasingly exceed human capacity, and why organisations are accelerating their investment in AI.
Andy explored strategies for using AI to increase productivity and described the concept of “intelligence on tap” – a shift towards readily available, on‑demand AI support that helps bridge the widening capacity gap.
He also introduced the rise of agentic AI, and the benefits of working alongside agents, as a key trend shaping the future of work in 2026.
Wrapping Up The Event
The main session concluded with lunch, allowing attendees to continue discussions informally.
For those who chose to extend their day, the event ended on a fun note with a couple of rounds of bowling at The Pin, Ramside Hall’s impressive entertainment complex – a relaxed and enjoyable way to wrap up the day and network.
Thank You & Next Steps
We would like to thank everyone who joined us. Events like Insight 2026 highlight just how important it is to stay ahead of technological change and ensure your business is prepared for the future.
If you are considering AI adoption, exploring cyber security improvements, or would like to receive invitations to future events, our team would love to help you.
