Talking tech and AI implementation at Smart Retail Tech Expo

Retailers face a moment where AI feels both essential and overwhelming. New tools appear daily and expectations rise, yet many attempts fail to deliver lasting progress.

During his session at SRT Expo, Matt Sherwen shared the realities behind early AI adoption and why so many teams lose momentum before they see meaningful value.

Watch the full talk on-demand to learn how to cut through the noise, build direction and move from experimentation to impact.

‍Watch the video below or watch on Youtube.

What you will learn

Before expanding on the detail, here is a simple overview of the themes explored in the session.

• Why most AI projects fall short of expectations
• How clarity beats tools in the early stages
• Why starting small accelerates long-term progress
• How culture influences adoption more than technology
• What businesses can do today to prepare their data and workflows

Why early AI projects struggle

AI often enters a business through tools. A chatbot impresses the team or an automation platform looks promising. The temptation is to adopt quickly and hope for results.

Matt highlighted that this approach creates misalignment. Many tools wrap generic models and fail to solve the real problem. By the time a rollout completes, the organisation has moved on or expectations have shifted.

AI succeeds when teams begin with clarity, not technology.

Why starting small builds real momentum

A common question in the room was how to begin when AI feels too big. Matt encouraged leaders to remove the pressure to catch up and instead focus on controlled, practical steps.

Small projects lower risk and help teams learn quickly. They reveal what works, what needs adjustment and where the next opportunity might be.

Teams build confidence through experience, not ambition.

Culture shapes success more than tools

Adopting AI is not only a technical shift. Matt outlined how behavioural change drives progress. People need space to explore, question and test ideas without pressure.

He described how Sherwen’s internal workshops helped the team uncover their own improvements through experimentation rather than mandates.

A culture-first approach reduces friction and strengthens adoption across departments.

Watch the full talk

The session offers a grounded view of AI implementation based on real challenges faced by retail teams. It shows how small steps, cultural alignment and practical decision-making create a sustainable path forward.

Watch the full video on our site or view the talk on YouTube.