The UK economy has had easier times. Over the last two years, it has had to weather the global impact of the pandemic, and closer to home, the fundamental change to its trading relationships and supply chains caused by Brexit. With inflation in the ascendancy, energy costs on the rise, and threats from all sides such as Russian aggression in the East, it isn't going to get any easier. However, this moment of acute problems could be the driver of AI's greater adoption to meet the challenges.