<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><!-- generator=Zoho Sites --><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><channel><atom:link href="https://www.ostratto.com/blogs/tag/sustainability/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title>Ostratto - Blog | Ostratto #sustainability</title><description>Ostratto - Blog | Ostratto #sustainability</description><link>https://www.ostratto.com/blogs/tag/sustainability</link><lastBuildDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2026 17:13:57 +0100</lastBuildDate><generator>http://zoho.com/sites/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[AI and the future of work income and inequality]]></title><link>https://www.ostratto.com/blogs/post/ai-future-work-income-inequality</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.ostratto.com/blog resources/post-cover-images/gradient-variation-13.png"/>How could people live if AI reduces the need for paid work? Explore basic income, shorter working weeks, ownership and the future of inequality.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_X-YFta2cTxaZ2hdVkVDzHg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_VpzeCOAEQBe7BJRRDjCe9A" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-center zp-hidden-md zp-hidden-sm zp-hidden-xs " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_91e6hWQlRsCpC7fjprqW4A" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-10 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_BXrJSDwgK0OQspZhVduscw" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_BXrJSDwgK0OQspZhVduscw"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_BXrJSDwgK0OQspZhVduscw"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
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</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_56dDTukqxgk-diyJmLilYw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_nwDln7EuIh0xhJFf_tJL_A" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_EPSN-dYxtFEKNFROFVlNXw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div></div>
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<div></div><div><div></div><div><div>AI could allow society to produce more with less human labour. Whether that translates into more leisure, greater insecurity or a wider gap between rich and poor will depend on how income, ownership and public services change alongside it.</div><div><br/></div><div>Imagine a business that can deliver the same service with half the human effort. Its owners could reduce prices, increase profits, serve more customers, improve pay or shorten the working week. They could also reduce the number of people they employ.</div><div><br/></div><div>All of those outcomes begin with the same technological improvement. Their consequences for the people involved are very different.</div><div><br/></div><div>That is the difficulty at the centre of the debate about AI and the future of work. We can imagine machines doing a growing share of economically valuable activity. It is much harder to explain how everyone will live comfortably if paid employment becomes less necessary.</div><div><br/></div><div>For most households, work provides the money that buys access to housing, food, energy and everything else. A future in which society needs less labour would therefore require more than better technology. It could require a different relationship between work and the right to a decent standard of living.</div><div><br/></div><div>There is no reliable date for that future, and no certainty that it will arrive in its most dramatic form. But exploring it helps explain the decisions already facing businesses and governments.</div></div><div></div></div><div></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_KQcswuL7O0MzmLgjQK3N2g" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_KQcswuL7O0MzmLgjQK3N2g"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_KQcswuL7O0MzmLgjQK3N2g"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_HJD0-gmuQzp56cd19O5KTQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_NOUuOJsG-kmcNenct8CCfQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_ZHUYrApFjBrYbPQf-pVyYg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>What the evidence tells us about jobs</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_hePAGNKpGRTEkeBe52bwLg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div></div>
<div><div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div></div><div><div><div><a href="https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/infrastructure/measuring-the-environmental-impact-of-ai-inference?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="Google estimates" target="_blank" rel=""></a></div>
</div></div><div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div>The claim that AI will eliminate most employment goes much further than the research can currently establish.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>The <a href="https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/one-four-jobs-risk-being-transformed-genai-new-ilo%E2%80%93nask-global-index-shows" title="International Labour Organization and NASK estimated" target="_blank" rel="">International Labour Organization and NASK estimated</a> in May 2025 that one in four jobs worldwide was in an occupation potentially exposed to generative AI. Their assessment said that changes to jobs were more likely than their complete replacement. Exposure measures the potential for technology to affect tasks; it does not count redundancies or predict how quickly employers will adopt it.</div></div><br/><div>A job usually combines many activities. Producing a report, handling an unusual complaint, taking responsibility for a decision and understanding what a customer actually needs may sit within the same role. Automating one activity does not automatically remove the rest.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>There is also evidence that AI can help people work more effectively. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/qje/qjae044" title="A study published" target="_blank" rel="">A study published</a> in The Quarterly Journal of Economics in 2025 examined 5,172 customer-support agents and found that access to an AI assistant increased issues resolved per hour by 15% on average. Less experienced and lower-skilled workers gained more than their more experienced colleagues. That is evidence from a particular workplace, rather than a prediction for the whole economy.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>These findings leave room for several outcomes. Employers might expand services with the same team, employ fewer people, or combine both approaches. Productivity improvements do not determine which choice they make.</div><div><br/></div><div>Software capability also differs from economical, dependable deployment. Systems need to work with existing processes, handle mistakes and justify their operating costs. Extending automation into construction, maintenance or personal care introduces physical challenges that a more capable chatbot alone does not solve.</div></div><div><div><div><div></div></div><div></div>
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</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_7--vlKDHWDGZlTDCLwG3yg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_rqP9PklFL6fpfuufOv4soQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_1bxbbN-kDsWm8wCnmOFb-g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Why a richer economy might still leave households worse off</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_q73dAqxZOBr1IWxqMWcC1w" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div><div></div>
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</div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div>The most important distinction is between producing wealth and distributing purchasing power.</div><div><br/></div><div>Suppose a fictional company earns £1 million a year and spends £600,000 on wages. Imagine that automation eventually allows it to maintain its output while reducing that wage bill to £300,000. Assume, purely for illustration, that the technology and its operation add £100,000 in annual costs.</div><div><br/></div><div>The business would then have £200,000 more available before any other changes. That money could support investment, lower prices, higher pay, shorter hours or greater returns to owners. The £300,000 reduction in wages could involve fewer staff, reduced hours or another change in employment.</div><div><br/></div><div>This example is arithmetic, not a forecast. It shows why a more productive business does not automatically make every affected household better off.</div><div><br/></div><div>Consumers might gain through lower prices while some workers lose their main source of income. Investors might benefit through higher profits while people without savings have little direct claim on those returns. The economy could grow overall while particular communities become poorer.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>The <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2024/01/14/ai-will-transform-the-global-economy-lets-make-sure-it-benefits-humanity" title="IMF has identified" target="_blank" rel="">IMF has identified</a> both labour-income and ownership channels through which AI could increase inequality: some workers may benefit more than others, while higher returns to capital could favour people who already own assets. These are risks, rather than an unavoidable outcome.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>The distribution of productivity gains can follow several routes:</div></div><div><br/></div><div></div></div><div><div><ul></ul></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_z9_W5XAA6Y5yg_yVQzyW5w" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_z9_W5XAA6Y5yg_yVQzyW5w"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 800px ; height: 644.44px ; } } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-tablet-align-center zpimage-mobile-align-center zpimage-size-large zpimage-tablet-fallback-fit zpimage-mobile-fallback-fit hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:light"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/blog%20resources/2026/ai-future-work-income-inequality/ai-distribution-of-gains.svg" size="large" alt="diagram showing profit trickle-down routes" data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_xADbAHKw9umyv9se35X-9A" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_xADbAHKw9umyv9se35X-9A"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_xADbAHKw9umyv9se35X-9A"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_O0euDCJsjy28HGbAHvKGWQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_3mGypZnfrLqpqCWdmCg1ww" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_JsG16vZmRBto9Q-rXSOtxg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Four possible futures for work</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_nWFzcj7mUSo2kBZ1ot9FBQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><span>There is no single economic theory that tells us precisely what comes next. Four broad scenarios help explain the range of possibilities.</span><div></div></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_3dISrvkoM7zIkWQ28eJdWg" data-element-type="table" class="zpelement zpelem-table "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_3dISrvkoM7zIkWQ28eJdWg"] .zptable{ width:100% !important; } </style><div class="zptable zptable-align-left zptable-align-mobile-left zptable-align-tablet-left zptable-header-light zptable-header-top zptable-cell-outline-on zptable-outline-on zptable-header-sticky-tablet zptable-header-sticky-mobile zptable-zebra-style-none zptable-style-both " data-width="100" data-editor="true"><table><tbody><tr><th scope="col" style="width:27.2112%;"> <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Possible future</span></span></th><th scope="col" style="width:38.4025%;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"> <span style="font-size:14px;">How people earn a living</span></span></th><th scope="col" style="width:33.3333%;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"> <span style="font-size:14px;">What could happen to inequality</span></span></th></tr><tr><td style="width:27.2112%;"><span style="font-size:14px;">AI assists most workers</span></td><td style="width:38.4025%;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Wages remain central, with jobs changing around AI</span></td><td style="width:33.3333%;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Gaps could narrow where tools spread expertise, or widen where access and bargaining power differ</span></td></tr><tr><td style="width:27.2112%;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Productivity supports shorter working weeks</span></td><td style="width:38.4025%;"><span style="font-size:14px;">People retain paid work but share some gains through more free time</span></td><td style="width:33.3333%;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Benefits depend on whether lower hours preserve adequate income and extend beyond privileged occupations</span></td></tr><tr><td style="width:27.2112%;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Ownership becomes more important than employment</span></td><td style="width:38.4025%;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Profits, assets and access to platforms matter more, while wages become less secure</span></td><td style="width:33.3333%;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Wealth could concentrate if displaced workers have little ownership or protection</span></td></tr><tr><td style="width:27.2112%;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Much less paid work is needed</span></td><td style="width:38.4025%;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Income comes from a mixture of remaining jobs, public transfers, services and ownership returns</span></td><td style="width:33.3333%;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Living standards depend heavily on who controls production and how its benefits are shared</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_DyIPETaNkU0xnbrQukMniQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><span></span></div><div><div><br/></div><div>These scenarios could coexist. A consultant might become more productive, an administrator might lose a role, a care worker might remain in high demand and a shareholder might receive higher returns during the same period.</div><div><br/></div><div>The path between them matters as much as the eventual destination. A society that becomes wealthier over twenty years can still impose severe losses on people who cannot pay their bills during the transition.</div></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_XyMyn1JzmmbAyzCAWdSDvg" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_XyMyn1JzmmbAyzCAWdSDvg"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_XyMyn1JzmmbAyzCAWdSDvg"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_l8uVFLgKIzrYL9d3MAsqbQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_bdG5mb-wJzj4OeQ_2nnVAA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_vqpDnD2VSUGENuyzEYus9g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>How people could live if there were less paid work</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_B5N18s-z8lmWHIeTTsimSA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div>
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</div><div><div></div><div><div></div><span>If employment became a less reliable way to distribute income, households would need other sources of security. Several approaches could contribute, but each answers a different part of the problem.</span><div></div></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_nnTrs9lvtqT9RBDixtrM0g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h5
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Shorter working weeks</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h5></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_Ddm0hQpdgLXRHfDDJ6hqlQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div>One possibility is to distribute some productivity gains as time. If a team can complete its work in fewer hours, an employer could preserve pay while reducing working time. People would still earn wages, but employment would occupy less of their lives.</div><div><br/></div><div>This is different from cutting someone's hours and income because there is less work available. A shorter working week only represents a shared benefit if households can still afford to live.</div><div><br/></div><div>It would also be harder to deliver evenly across occupations. Reducing office administration may free time directly; maintaining round-the-clock physical care still requires people to cover shifts unless technology changes the underlying work.</div><div><br/></div><div>Shorter hours are therefore a possible route towards sharing gains, rather than an automatic consequence of AI adoption.</div></div><div><br/></div><p></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_SdOfaLnq3klwteX652IXWw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h5
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>A guaranteed income</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h5></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_Wl3VXAz6kPmcAHubVlvyBA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div></div><div><div>Universal basic income, usually shortened to UBI, would provide a regular payment to everyone within an eligible population without making it conditional on employment.</div><div><br/></div><div>Its appeal is straightforward: people would retain a financial floor even when their work disappeared, their hours varied or they needed time to retrain. Other designs, such as a guaranteed minimum income, would target support more closely according to income.</div><div><br/></div><div>But the amount and funding matter enormously. A modest payment might improve security without being sufficient to replace wages. A payment large enough to support most living costs would require a much more substantial funding arrangement.</div><div><br/></div><div>For scale, an illustrative payment of £1,000 a month to 50 million adults would have a gross annual cost of £600 billion. That is not a proposal or a net budget estimate. Taxes paid back by recipients and any benefits replaced would change the net cost, while protecting disability, housing and other additional needs would affect the design.</div><div><br/></div><div><div><a href="https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/1271139/perustulokokeilun-tulokset-tyollisyysvaikutukset-vahaisia-toimeentulo-ja-psyykkinen-terveys-koettiin-paremmaksi?languageId=en_US" title="Finland's 2017 to 2018 basic-income experiment" target="_blank" rel="">Finland's 2017 to 2018 basic-income experiment</a> found better reported wellbeing and economic security, alongside small employment effects whose interpretation was complicated by another policy change. It provides useful evidence about a limited trial among unemployed people, rather than proof that a permanent national scheme could support a highly automated economy.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>A credible income proposal must also explain what happens to essential costs. If housing supply remains constrained, additional purchasing power could partly feed into higher rents. That is a reason to consider income and housing together, rather than assume that a cash payment alone resolves insecurity.</div></div><div><br/></div><div></div></div><p></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_k9NeQiqGuY_QIw_Mx6qnEA" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h5
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Better access to essential services</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h5></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_EmWMWR_EIXeuFSL366unPg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div>Households can become more secure through a lower cost of living as well as a higher cash income.</div><div><br/></div><div>Affordable housing, transport, education, childcare and reliable public services could reduce the amount people need to earn privately. AI might help provide some services more efficiently, although translating administrative savings into better provision would still require investment and competent delivery.</div><div><br/></div><div>This approach is often discussed as universal basic services. Its practical question is whether people can obtain what they need, rather than simply whether they have received a payment.</div><div><br/></div><div>Cash and services need not be competing choices. A future with less paid work could require both personal spending power and dependable access to essentials.</div></div><div><br/></div><div></div></div><p></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_2A_DTxP3QX9QdfiPHg8-Dg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h5
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>A wider share of ownership</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h5></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_4MAcsDN_uyqIk4pKSPL76A" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div>Redistribution after profits have been earned is only one way to share the benefits. Another is to spread ownership of the assets generating them.</div><div><br/></div><div>Employee ownership, profit-sharing, pension investment and publicly owned investment funds are possible mechanisms. A public fund could, in principle, hold investments and use returns to support services or payments to citizens.</div><div><br/></div><div>None offers free or guaranteed income. Funds need assets, returns fluctuate and governance matters. Employee shares also expose workers to the fortunes of their own employer, which can compound risk if both their job and investment lose value together.</div><div><br/></div><div>The underlying principle is still relevant: if a greater share of income comes from owning productive assets, access to ownership becomes more important to economic security.</div></div><p></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_irei_INVoybptKlA5x1wxA" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_irei_INVoybptKlA5x1wxA"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_irei_INVoybptKlA5x1wxA"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_36pw7IQAdOwy5QS3IKcqbw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_vF99psHatFsqYb7xmZZpXw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_s_HX10sV2nC3qIkjG3zwRw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Who would pay for a society with less work</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_LlK2ILOnxTfd_gF9HmfUVQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div>A more automated economy would still have to produce the homes, food, energy and services that people consume. Money transfers cannot replace that productive capacity.</div>
<div><br/></div><div>If AI expanded output substantially, society might have more resources available to share. The challenge would be creating institutions that convert that capacity into household security.</div>
<div><br/></div><div>Public funding could come from a mixture of taxes, investment returns and changes to existing expenditure. If wages became a smaller share of economic income, governments might need to reconsider how heavily revenue collection depended on employment.</div>
<div><br/></div><div><div><a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/06/17/fiscal-policy-can-help-broaden-the-gains-of-ai-to-humanity" title="The IMF's 2024 discussion" target="_blank" rel="">The IMF's 2024 discussion</a> of fiscal responses to AI recommended stronger social protection and consideration of capital-income and corporate taxation. It also cautioned against a specific tax on AI itself, citing risks to investment and difficulties with implementation. </div>
</div><div><br/></div><div>There is no simple answer in taxing every automated task. Governments would need to distinguish productive investment from excessive concentration of economic power, collect revenue effectively and avoid undermining the growth expected to fund better living standards.</div>
<div><br/></div><div>International coordination would matter where profits and productive assets crossed borders. A country could experience disruption to local employment without automatically receiving a proportionate share of the gains.</div>
<div><br/></div><div>Business incentives would remain important too. Companies need customers with purchasing power, but that does not mean each company has an incentive to preserve employment on society's behalf. A business can cut its own wage bill while relying on customers who earn money elsewhere. Wider economic security therefore cannot depend solely on voluntary decisions by individual employers.</div></div>
<div></div></div><div></div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_ZY-yGKH9MOn4ua8PdoQ9HA" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_ZY-yGKH9MOn4ua8PdoQ9HA"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_ZY-yGKH9MOn4ua8PdoQ9HA"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_Ke7YZ1qio5xbHeu_eQoVNA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_I8Mbj37srQl8_RvqEetI_g" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm__nuT-_cSV7CugfkHUei_Eg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Why cheaper intelligence would not make everything cheap</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_24a-kKvXC5x4vpPdMZiX7w" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><span></span></div><div><div>A common vision of the AI future assumes that dramatically cheaper intellectual work will make life broadly affordable. That could happen in some areas without happening everywhere.</div><div><br/></div><div>Producing another digital document or software feature is different from supplying another home in a desirable location. Land, building materials, energy networks, physical infrastructure and human attention can remain scarce.</div><div><br/></div><div>AI could help improve planning, design, logistics or research. Those improvements would not automatically create the physical capacity or political agreement needed to increase supply.</div><div><br/></div><div>A household might gain access to excellent low-cost software while still struggling with rent. A business might generate marketing material cheaply while paying heavily for distribution, premises or access to customers.</div><div><br/></div><div>Affordability would depend on which costs fell, whether competition passed savings through, and whether the essentials occupying household budgets became easier to obtain. A comfortable life requires more than abundant digital output.</div></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_QIauZRSY1e7Ktg92fHAOsQ" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_QIauZRSY1e7Ktg92fHAOsQ"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_QIauZRSY1e7Ktg92fHAOsQ"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_1_IBZwqq4XNItHM-ZbzL4g" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_p0ebjFv6sbCXBW_PNYFeZw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_6KPxdb5nzhi5YRkQHFcWBg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>How inequality could change</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_cP5O7WoLdvcx7TPR5gff-g" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><span></span></div><div><div></div></div><div><div>AI could affect several kinds of inequality at once, sometimes in opposing directions.</div><div><br/></div><div>Within a workplace, accessible tools might help less experienced people perform tasks that previously required substantial training. The customer-support study offers one example of that possibility. It does not establish that wages will converge, because pay also depends on labour demand, institutions and bargaining power.</div><div><br/></div><div>Between households, the effects could move in the opposite direction. Someone with a home, investments and a secure professional position may have several ways to benefit from automation. Someone relying entirely on a vulnerable wage may have much less protection.</div><div><br/></div><div>The result could be a smaller gap in certain skills alongside a larger gap in wealth and security.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>There is also a question of market power. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-outlines-growing-concerns-in-markets-for-ai-foundation-models" title="In April 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority warned" target="_blank" rel="">In April 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority warned</a> that control of important inputs and routes to market could allow powerful technology firms to restrict competition in foundation-model markets. Its concern was that businesses and consumers could lose out through reduced choice, higher prices or weaker innovation.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>For smaller businesses, that creates an unresolved tension. AI could make capabilities affordable that previously required a large team. It could also increase dependence on suppliers that control models, infrastructure or customer access. Whether small firms gain lasting bargaining power would depend partly on how open and competitive those markets remain.</div><div><br/></div><div>Geography matters as well. Lower-cost access to expertise could benefit people far from major economic centres. But a community losing a significant source of employment would not necessarily recover just because useful software became available.</div><div><br/></div><div>Access to tools is one part of opportunity. Time, education, infrastructure, capital and a realistic route to earning income are others.</div></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_RQ9BafIx8ymEm7ZSzaSEsQ" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_RQ9BafIx8ymEm7ZSzaSEsQ"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_RQ9BafIx8ymEm7ZSzaSEsQ"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_-1N0BRHRSSmsX0NlcQiqIQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_kmjtUNMn1Pab9W5UmKk4xQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_uiAYTVqmRhcZU5axUZnJXQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The transition could be harder than the eventual future</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm__B197I38S2eTLj6f86RbvA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div>Even if AI ultimately supports higher living standards, the adjustment could be painful.</div><div><br/></div><div>A person losing a job needs income immediately. Training takes time, available vacancies may be elsewhere, and a new occupation may offer lower pay. “Reskilling” only becomes a meaningful answer when there is accessible training, financial support and work worth moving into.</div><div><br/></div><div>The transition could also affect how people enter professions. If businesses automate activities traditionally assigned to junior staff, they would need alternative ways to develop experienced employees. That is a risk to plan for, rather than proof that every entry-level role will disappear.</div><div><br/></div><div>For employers, useful questions include how productivity gains will be shared, how staff will learn, and where human judgement remains necessary. Measuring only output or headcount would miss changes in service quality, workload and the development of future expertise.</div><div><br/></div><div>For governments, the equivalent questions concern income support, housing, training and the speed at which assistance reaches affected communities. An eventual increase in national output would offer little comfort to someone facing several years of financial instability.</div></div><div></div></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_SXjvkCspjbYW2A6Bcj9PEQ" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_SXjvkCspjbYW2A6Bcj9PEQ"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_SXjvkCspjbYW2A6Bcj9PEQ"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_zHe1cmiqXPm52LVok2vBFQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_RRL3ydnXdBnQ4jibHJyvqg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_YHQHL-FiCEDuJ0V8F4fXTw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>What people would do if employment occupied less of life</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_4H9Ys6zIMzHUr01eoVB_Ig" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div>Paid work provides more than money. For many people it offers routine, relationships, recognition and a sense of contribution. A future with less employment would need to take those roles seriously.</div><div><br/></div><div>But useful activity extends well beyond paid jobs. Raising children, caring for relatives, supporting charities, creating art, learning and participating in local communities can all have considerable value without generating a wage.</div><br/><div>Greater financial security and more free time could allow more of that activity. It could also allow people to start businesses or pursue projects that cannot immediately support them.</div><div><br/></div><div>The experience would depend heavily on choice. Working fewer hours with a secure income is very different from being excluded from employment while struggling to afford essentials. Describing both situations as “people not working” hides the most important difference between them.</div><div><br/></div><div>A successful future would need room for contribution without treating conventional employment as the only measure of a person's worth. It would also need to recognise that preferences differ: some people would welcome more leisure, while others would continue to seek demanding paid work.</div></div><div></div></div><div></div></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_-3fbxZXPSlkK-8SP-jTUzg" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_-3fbxZXPSlkK-8SP-jTUzg"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_-3fbxZXPSlkK-8SP-jTUzg"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_fFJ_Geu6KTjZRyQI-d0d4w" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_wKbJTi0IWT2zNKVpTdzboQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_kPmCe4sudN0GNmwpmlvNQg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The future depends on how the gains are shared</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_OYgMrKX51I6KD2BCxQZ63A" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div>There is a credible possibility that AI will help people accomplish far more with less effort. There is much less certainty about whether it will remove the need for most paid employment, how quickly any transition would happen, or which occupations would be affected most.</div><div><br/></div><div>The sensible response is to prepare for several outcomes. Businesses can use AI to improve services and productivity while making deliberate choices about staff development, workload and the distribution of gains. Governments can strengthen the systems that help people navigate changes in employment, while considering how income and ownership might evolve if those changes become more profound.</div><div><br/></div><div>The most optimistic future would combine productive technology with economic security and greater freedom over how people spend their lives. A less favourable one would combine impressive output with concentrated ownership, fragile incomes and limited influence over the systems on which people depend.</div><div><br/></div><div>The technology could contribute to either. Whether people can live well with less paid work will depend on the arrangements built around it: who owns productive assets, how markets operate, which essentials are affordable, and how people obtain a fair share of what society produces.</div></div><div></div></div><div></div></div><div></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2026 10:19:30 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[AI Agents and the Future of Business Software]]></title><link>https://www.ostratto.com/blogs/post/ai-agents-future-business-software</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.ostratto.com/blog resources/post-cover-images/gradient-variation-8.jpg"/>Our view on how AI agents could change business software, and how businesses can prepare through MCP, clean data and better processes.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_X-YFta2cTxaZ2hdVkVDzHg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_VpzeCOAEQBe7BJRRDjCe9A" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-center zp-hidden-md zp-hidden-sm zp-hidden-xs " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_91e6hWQlRsCpC7fjprqW4A" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-10 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_BXrJSDwgK0OQspZhVduscw" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_BXrJSDwgK0OQspZhVduscw"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_BXrJSDwgK0OQspZhVduscw"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
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<div></div><div><div>Businesses have spent years investing in software to make work easier, yet a considerable part of the working day still involves operating that software. Employees search for records, update fields, move information between applications and work out which screen contains the answer they need. Even when each application is reasonably good, the person using it often becomes responsible for joining everything together.</div><br/><div>We think this is likely to change substantially. Our expectation is that AI agents will become the primary way people interact with software for many routine business tasks. Employees will describe what they want to achieve, while agents retrieve information, use the appropriate tools and carry out work across the systems underneath.</div><br/><div>That future will develop unevenly, and there are good reasons for people to retain direct control over certain tasks. Nevertheless, it has practical implications for businesses today. The quality of your data, the structure of your processes and the accessibility of your applications could soon have a much greater influence on how effectively your team works.</div></div><div></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_KQcswuL7O0MzmLgjQK3N2g" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_KQcswuL7O0MzmLgjQK3N2g"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_KQcswuL7O0MzmLgjQK3N2g"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_HJD0-gmuQzp56cd19O5KTQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_NOUuOJsG-kmcNenct8CCfQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_ZHUYrApFjBrYbPQf-pVyYg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>From navigating applications to asking for outcomes</span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_hePAGNKpGRTEkeBe52bwLg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div></div>
<div><div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div></div><div><div><div><a href="https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/infrastructure/measuring-the-environmental-impact-of-ai-inference?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="Google estimates" target="_blank" rel=""></a></div>
</div></div><div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div><div></div></div><div><div>Consider what happens when an account manager needs to prepare for a customer meeting. They might open the CRM to review recent conversations, check the accounting system for outstanding invoices, look through support tickets and visit the project management platform to understand how ongoing work is progressing.</div><br/><div>The information is already available, but gathering it requires the employee to know where to look and how to interpret what they find. A straightforward request becomes a small research exercise across several applications.</div><br/><div>An agent with suitable access could potentially assemble that information from a single instruction:</div><br/></div></div></div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;border-width:medium;border-style:none;padding:0px;"><div><div><div><div><span style="font-style:italic;">“Prepare me for tomorrow’s meeting with this customer. Summarise recent activity, outstanding issues and anything we need to discuss.”</span></div></div></div></div></blockquote><div><div><div><div><br/></div><div>The more significant opportunity comes afterwards. Having reviewed the summary, the employee could ask the agent to prepare an agenda, create an internal follow-up task or draft a message to the project manager. With the appropriate tools and permissions, the agent could carry out those actions in the relevant systems.</div><br/><div><div>AI systems can already be designed to use tools and choose steps towards an objective. <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/building-effective-agents?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="Anthropic’s guidance" target="_blank" rel="">Anthropic’s guidance</a> on building effective agents describes this distinction between predefined workflows and agents that determine how to proceed as they work. That capability provides a foundation for the change we expect, although dependable business use still requires careful implementation. anthropic.com</div></div><br/><div>The employee’s attention can then move towards the customer and the decisions that need making, with less time spent navigating software to gather the necessary context.</div></div><div></div>
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</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_7--vlKDHWDGZlTDCLwG3yg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_rqP9PklFL6fpfuufOv4soQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_1bxbbN-kDsWm8wCnmOFb-g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Software becomes the infrastructure behind the work</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_q73dAqxZOBr1IWxqMWcC1w" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div><div></div>
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</div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div>If agents become the main point of interaction, the applications underneath them will continue to perform essential functions. Accounting software will maintain financial records, the CRM will organise customer relationships, and project management systems will hold tasks, responsibilities and deadlines.</div><br/><div>What changes is how often an employee needs to open each application directly.</div><br/><div>We can imagine a working day in which someone reviews priorities through an assistant, asks it to investigate an issue and approves a proposed action without visiting every system involved. Some tasks may begin through a conversation, while others start automatically when an agreed condition is met.</div><br/><div>A renewal process, for example, could bring together contract dates, current services, account activity and outstanding issues before presenting a proposed renewal for review. The person responsible would still make the commercial decision, but much of the preparation could happen in the background.</div><br/><div>This would also change what businesses value when choosing software. The interface would remain relevant, but buyers would have stronger reasons to examine the capabilities underneath it: whether information can be retrieved reliably, whether actions can be performed through integrations, and whether access can be restricted appropriately.</div><br/><div>A feature that is available only through a sequence of manual screens may be much harder to incorporate into an agent-led process.</div></div><div><div><ul></ul></div>
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</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_O0euDCJsjy28HGbAHvKGWQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_3mGypZnfrLqpqCWdmCg1ww" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_JsG16vZmRBto9Q-rXSOtxg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Interfaces will still have a role</span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_nWFzcj7mUSo2kBZ1ot9FBQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div></div><div><div>We expect businesses to spend less time navigating application interfaces, but that does not mean every task should become a conversation.</div><br/><div>A table can be a better way to compare hundreds of records. A project board can make workload easier to understand. A chart can reveal a trend more clearly than several paragraphs of explanation. People will also need ways to inspect evidence, review proposed changes and investigate mistakes.</div><br/><div>The likely direction is a combination of agents and interfaces, with the agent bringing forward the view needed for a particular decision. Someone might ask which projects are falling behind and receive an interactive table showing deadlines, blockers and responsible team members. They could examine the details before asking for follow-up actions.</div><br/><div>In that environment, interfaces become more focused on helping people understand and control the work. Routine navigation and administration can increasingly happen behind the scenes.</div></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_XyMyn1JzmmbAyzCAWdSDvg" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_XyMyn1JzmmbAyzCAWdSDvg"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_XyMyn1JzmmbAyzCAWdSDvg"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_l8uVFLgKIzrYL9d3MAsqbQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_bdG5mb-wJzj4OeQ_2nnVAA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_vqpDnD2VSUGENuyzEYus9g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Why MCP matters to this future</span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_B5N18s-z8lmWHIeTTsimSA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div></div><div><div></div></div>
</div><div><div></div><div><div>For agents to work across business applications, they need a reliable way to access information and perform actions. Model Context Protocol, or MCP, provides an open standard for connecting AI applications to external tools and data sources. An MCP server can expose specific capabilities that a compatible AI application can discover and use. Model Context Protocol</div><br/><div><div>We explored the underlying technology in our earlier article, <a href="https://www.ostratto.com/blogs/post/what-is-mcp-business?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="What is MCP, and what does it mean for businesses?" target="_blank" rel="">What is MCP, and what does it mean for businesses?</a>. Its relevance here is that a common connection standard can make business systems more accessible to agents.</div></div><br/><div>For example, a connection might expose tools for finding customer records, retrieving invoice information or creating tasks. The agent can request those operations using defined inputs, while the connected system performs the underlying action. The actual capabilities depend on what the integration makes available. Model Context Protocol</div><br/><div>Businesses should therefore look beyond whether a supplier says it “supports MCP”. A connection that retrieves a small selection of information offers a different opportunity from one that supports the complete process you want to improve.</div><br/><div>It is also worth examining existing APIs and integration options. MCP often provides an additional layer over those capabilities, so the accessibility of the underlying application remains important. Businesses can start evaluating these foundations now without committing themselves to a particular agent platform.</div></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_irei_INVoybptKlA5x1wxA" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_irei_INVoybptKlA5x1wxA"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_irei_INVoybptKlA5x1wxA"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_36pw7IQAdOwy5QS3IKcqbw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_vF99psHatFsqYb7xmZZpXw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_s_HX10sV2nC3qIkjG3zwRw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Good data hygiene becomes an operational requirement</span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_LlK2ILOnxTfd_gF9HmfUVQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div><div><div></div><div><div>An employee can often work around poor data because they know the business. They recognise that two slightly different company names refer to the same customer, understand which spreadsheet is current and remember that a supposedly active contract ended last month.</div><br/><div>An agent may have no dependable way to resolve those inconsistencies. If it finds two customer records with different renewal dates, it needs an authoritative source or a defined process for handling the conflict.</div><br/><div>This makes good data hygiene particularly important when AI moves from producing answers to performing actions. An incorrect email address might lead to a message being sent to the wrong person. An outdated service record could affect a renewal proposal. An ambiguous account status could trigger an inappropriate follow-up.</div><br/><div>Preparing data for agents therefore involves more than removing duplicates. Businesses need consistent fields, meaningful statuses, clear relationships between records and an agreed source of truth for each important type of information.</div><br/><div>Customer identities should be linked reliably across systems. Dates and currencies should be explicit. Superseded documents should be distinguishable from current ones. Important decisions should be recorded somewhere accessible rather than remaining entirely in someone’s inbox or memory.</div><br/><div>These improvements benefit people immediately. They also make it easier to introduce automation with confidence because there is less ambiguity for either an employee or an agent to interpret.</div></div><div></div>
</div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_ZY-yGKH9MOn4ua8PdoQ9HA" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_ZY-yGKH9MOn4ua8PdoQ9HA"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_ZY-yGKH9MOn4ua8PdoQ9HA"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_Ke7YZ1qio5xbHeu_eQoVNA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_I8Mbj37srQl8_RvqEetI_g" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm__nuT-_cSV7CugfkHUei_Eg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>How businesses can get ahead now</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_24a-kKvXC5x4vpPdMZiX7w" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><span>The strongest starting point is a specific piece of work that repeatedly consumes time. Meeting preparation, internal reporting and finding information across applications are useful candidates because the results can be checked before the agent is given permission to change anything.</span><div></div></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><span>We would approach preparation in five stages:</span></span></div><div><span><span><br/></span></span></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_3QDwmVr47Y7Ie2O8tVr17Q" data-element-type="table" class="zpelement zpelem-table "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_3QDwmVr47Y7Ie2O8tVr17Q"] .zptable{ width:100% !important; } </style><div class="zptable zptable-align-center zptable-align-mobile-left zptable-align-tablet-left zptable-header- zptable-header-none zptable-cell-outline-on zptable-outline-on zptable-header-sticky-tablet zptable-header-sticky-mobile zptable-zebra-style-none zptable-style-both " data-width="100" data-editor="true"><table style="width:100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width:22.6534%;"> <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span>Stage</span></span></td><td style="width:76.3538%;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"> <span>Practical action</span></span></td></tr><tr><td style="width:22.6534%;"> <span>Identify the work</span></td><td style="width:76.3538%;"> <span>Choose a recurring task with a clear outcome and record how much time it currently takes.</span></td></tr><tr><td style="width:22.6534%;"> <span>Improve the data</span></td><td style="width:76.3538%;"> <span>Resolve duplicates, standardise key fields and agree which system holds each authoritative record.</span></td></tr><tr><td style="width:22.6534%;"> <span>Check connectivity</span></td><td style="width:76.3538%;"> <span>Assess relevant APIs, MCP connections, available actions and permission controls.</span></td></tr><tr><td style="width:22.6534%;"> <span>Define responsibility</span></td><td style="width:76.3538%;"> <span>Decide what the agent can do independently and when a person needs to review or approve it.</span></td></tr><tr><td style="width:22.6534%;"> <span>Test and measure</span></td><td style="width:76.3538%;" class="zp-selected-cell"> <span>Compare results with the existing process, including errors, checking time and integration costs.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_I-275spnrSICm7DK53_O8Q" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><span></span></div><div><div><br/></div><div>Access should follow the needs of the task. An agent preparing an account summary may need permission to read selected information, while an agent updating customer records requires a different level of control. MCP documentation describes mechanisms such as tool availability settings, approval dialogues and activity logs, but businesses still need to implement and configure suitable controls. Model Context Protocol</div><br/><div>Testing should include the awkward cases: missing information, conflicting records, unavailable applications and requests the agent is not authorised to complete. A useful system needs to recognise those situations and make them visible.</div><br/><div>The measure of success is the improvement to the complete process, including the time people spend checking the agent’s work. A task completed quickly has limited value if it creates a larger verification burden afterwards.</div></div><div><span><span><br/></span></span></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_QIauZRSY1e7Ktg92fHAOsQ" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_QIauZRSY1e7Ktg92fHAOsQ"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_QIauZRSY1e7Ktg92fHAOsQ"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_-1N0BRHRSSmsX0NlcQiqIQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_kmjtUNMn1Pab9W5UmKk4xQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_uiAYTVqmRhcZU5axUZnJXQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Processes need to be clear enough to delegate</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm__B197I38S2eTLj6f86RbvA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div>Clean data alone will not explain how your business should operate.</div><br/><div>An instruction such as “follow up overdue customers” sounds simple until someone needs to decide what counts as overdue, whether disputed invoices are excluded, who owns the relationship and which customers require a more sensitive approach.</div><br/><div>Employees often learn these rules informally. Delegating the work to an agent requires the business to make them explicit.</div><br/><div>That means defining the intended outcome, the information required, the actions allowed and the situations that need human judgement. It also means accepting that some parts of a process are better handled by conventional automation. A fixed calculation or validation rule can remain in software, while an agent helps gather context or manage a less predictable sequence of tasks.</div><br/><div>For many businesses, documenting those boundaries will be one of the most useful parts of preparing for agents. It exposes assumptions and inconsistencies that may already be causing problems.</div></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_SXjvkCspjbYW2A6Bcj9PEQ" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_SXjvkCspjbYW2A6Bcj9PEQ"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_SXjvkCspjbYW2A6Bcj9PEQ"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_zHe1cmiqXPm52LVok2vBFQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_RRL3ydnXdBnQ4jibHJyvqg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_YHQHL-FiCEDuJ0V8F4fXTw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Our view</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_4H9Ys6zIMzHUr01eoVB_Ig" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div>
<div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div>We think agents are likely to become the main way people use business software for a substantial amount of everyday work. The pace will vary, but the opportunity is clear: people can spend more time deciding, communicating and delivering, while software takes on more of the effort involved in finding information and carrying out routine actions.</div><br/><div>Businesses can prepare without predicting which AI provider or protocol will dominate. Well-structured data, accessible applications, documented processes and sensible permissions are useful foundations across a wide range of possible futures.</div><br/><div>The organisations that make progress on those foundations now will have more opportunities to put agents to useful work as the technology develops. They will also have better systems for their teams in the meantime.</div><br/><div>If you want to understand where agents could help your business, Ostratto can help you review the systems and processes you already have, identify a practical starting point and put the right foundations in place.</div></div><div></div></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_-3fbxZXPSlkK-8SP-jTUzg" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_-3fbxZXPSlkK-8SP-jTUzg"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_-3fbxZXPSlkK-8SP-jTUzg"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_924oHF8eLH1hApjh5zU6Mg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_rsFeGvib49B1bHoZKlnCeg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_D9tVx0kGjefEkpW5QZqk-g" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_zDNZtYlXeOSevBTmv80zCg" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_zDNZtYlXeOSevBTmv80zCg"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_zDNZtYlXeOSevBTmv80zCg"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_rqI20yfUVrX-8h2qHbkCRA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zprow-equalCol zpcol-justify-content-flex-start zpjustify-content-center zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="true"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_rqI20yfUVrX-8h2qHbkCRA"].zprow{ border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:20px; margin-block-end:20px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_wLxMmVNUeBZX7fWKaHmifg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-4 zpcol-sm-4 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_wLxMmVNUeBZX7fWKaHmifg"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_3ae1CBkP3xtff2PgbpeFwQ" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zsborder-box zplight-section zplight-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_3ae1CBkP3xtff2PgbpeFwQ"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_7WoLQQt7MSWgqFln992mvQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><b>Contact</b></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_q-0ViYxbYtugudA7zPEAsA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><div><span style="color:inherit;"></span></div><span></span><span></span><span>Get in touch with the team to discuss how we support your business with practical, people-first technology and long-term solutions.</span><div><span style="color:inherit;"><br/></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[AI Agents are starting to act in ways their creators didn’t expect]]></title><link>https://www.ostratto.com/blogs/post/the-most-dangerous-thing-about-ai-is-giving-it-access</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.ostratto.com/blog resources/post-cover-images/gradient-variation-2.jpg"/>Recent AI agent incidents at RubyGems and Hugging Face reveal the risks of giving autonomous AI access to real-world systems and data.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_X-YFta2cTxaZ2hdVkVDzHg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_VpzeCOAEQBe7BJRRDjCe9A" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_91e6hWQlRsCpC7fjprqW4A" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_B9eFx3kCTPWgSvhPOky6Ag" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div></div>
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<div></div><div><div>Recent incidents involving experimental AI agents are providing an early indication of the security challenges that could emerge as artificial intelligence moves beyond generating text and begins interacting directly with websites, software and other computer systems.</div><div><br/></div><div>One of those incidents occurred earlier this year on RubyGems, the package repository used by millions of software developers. In May, newly registered accounts began publishing large numbers of packages to the service, eventually forcing RubyGems to temporarily suspend new registrations while it dealt with the activity.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>RubyGems has since confirmed that more than 500 packages were removed. Researchers investigating the campaign attributed the activity to OpenAI agents, although <a href="https://blog.rubygems.org/2026/09/11/update-may-spam-publishing-campaign.html" title="RubyGems says" target="_blank" rel="">RubyGems says</a> the available evidence does not allow it to independently determine whether AI agents actually created or published the packages.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>The packages were designed to use shared infrastructure to execute code, retrieve publicly available information from the web and publish the results back to RubyGems. Researchers also identified attempts to obtain other users' API keys, although RubyGems says it found no evidence that those attempts were successful.</div><div><br/></div><div>The incident attracted attention because the apparent objective wasn't simply to attack RubyGems. The agents were reportedly using the platform while attempting to complete other tasks, illustrating how an autonomous system can potentially interact with infrastructure in ways that weren't anticipated by either its developers or the people operating that infrastructure.</div></div><div></div>
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</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_HJD0-gmuQzp56cd19O5KTQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_NOUuOJsG-kmcNenct8CCfQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_ZHUYrApFjBrYbPQf-pVyYg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>A much more serious incident followed</span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></div>
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<div><div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div></div><div><div><div><a href="https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/infrastructure/measuring-the-environmental-impact-of-ai-inference?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="Google estimates" target="_blank" rel=""></a></div>
</div></div><div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div><div></div></div><div><div>The concerns became more substantial following an incident involving OpenAI's internal AI research and Hugging Face, one of the world's largest platforms for hosting AI models and datasets.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>In July, OpenAI was running cybersecurity evaluations designed to test the capabilities of experimental models. According to <a href="https://openai.com/index/hugging-face-incident-and-the-road-ahead/" title="OpenAI's subsequent incident report" target="_blank" rel="">OpenAI's subsequent incident report</a>, the agents were deliberately operating with fewer safeguards than its publicly available products, but they were not supposed to have unrestricted internet access or communicate freely with other agents.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>Some of them nevertheless found ways around those restrictions.</div><div><br/></div><div>Agents discovered that they could use OpenAI's Artifactory software as an unintended communication system, effectively creating a message board through which otherwise separate agents could exchange information. They also discovered ways of using infrastructure that had limited internet connectivity to make requests on their behalf.</div><div><br/></div><div>As the evaluations continued, agents shared these techniques with others and began collaborating. OpenAI says the agents eventually exploited vulnerabilities across its own infrastructure and Hugging Face, including previously unknown vulnerabilities. During the incident, agents achieved code execution on Hugging Face servers and obtained access to credentials and some private data.</div><div><br/></div><div>OpenAI's investigation concluded that several behaviours contributed to the incident, including reward hacking, persistence when agents encountered apparently impossible tasks, unauthorised communication and agents adopting objectives from one another. The company has described the episode as a &quot;warning shot&quot; and says it has subsequently introduced stricter isolation, internet restrictions, monitoring and other safeguards.</div></div><div></div>
</div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_KmfXA8-5jmRnq_nyeFiARg" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_KmfXA8-5jmRnq_nyeFiARg"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_KmfXA8-5jmRnq_nyeFiARg"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_8F6SPZWUpH8YMNVOSUNP1A" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-center zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_SmXPeta4AxIS_vP9bHYoCg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-10 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Qzu3fYzjrnOhLGh5BR_-nw" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_Qzu3fYzjrnOhLGh5BR_-nw"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 920px ; height: 373.75px ; } } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-tablet-align-center zpimage-mobile-align-center zpimage-size-fit zpimage-tablet-fallback-fit zpimage-mobile-fallback-fit hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:light"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/blog%20resources/2026/the-most-dangerous-thing-about-ai-is-giving-it-access/ai-agent-incidents-timeline.svg" size="fit" alt="Timeline showing key AI agent incidents in 2026, from unusual activity on RubyGems through to OpenAI reporting stronger safeguards after the Hugging Face incident." data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span><figcaption class="zpimage-caption zpimage-caption-align-center"><span class="zpimage-caption-content">Recent incidents involving experimental AI agents show how quickly autonomy, access and unintended behaviour can combine.</span></figcaption></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_fyemCoMdLcPGCa0LD86LNg" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_fyemCoMdLcPGCa0LD86LNg"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_fyemCoMdLcPGCa0LD86LNg"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_7--vlKDHWDGZlTDCLwG3yg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_rqP9PklFL6fpfuufOv4soQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_1bxbbN-kDsWm8wCnmOFb-g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>AI is beginning to operate software rather than simply discuss it</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_q73dAqxZOBr1IWxqMWcC1w" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div><div></div>
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</div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div>These incidents took place in unusual research environments and involved experimental models operating under conditions that differ significantly from the AI products most businesses use today. They shouldn't therefore be interpreted as evidence that an ordinary AI assistant connected to a CRM is likely to behave in the same way.</div><div><br/></div><div>They are significant, however, because the technology industry is rapidly moving towards giving AI systems more autonomy.</div><div><br/></div><div>Most current business use of generative AI still involves a person asking a question and receiving an answer. Even when AI is used to write an email, analyse a spreadsheet or summarise a customer record, a person will usually decide what happens next.</div><div><br/></div><div>AI agents are intended to take this further by allowing a model to use tools and software to complete a task. An agent might browse websites, query databases, call APIs, update CRM records, work with documents or communicate through other applications as part of a longer process.</div><div><br/></div><div>For businesses, this could make AI considerably more useful. An agent connected to a CRM, for example, could potentially identify customers requiring attention, review their history, prepare correspondence, create follow-up tasks and update records without somebody manually moving between applications.</div><div><br/></div><div>Connecting the same agent to email, accounting software, cloud storage and other systems expands what it can achieve, but it also increases the consequences when the system makes an incorrect decision.</div></div><div><div><ul></ul></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_xADbAHKw9umyv9se35X-9A" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_xADbAHKw9umyv9se35X-9A"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_xADbAHKw9umyv9se35X-9A"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_O0euDCJsjy28HGbAHvKGWQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_3mGypZnfrLqpqCWdmCg1ww" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_JsG16vZmRBto9Q-rXSOtxg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The risk is not limited to deliberately malicious AI</span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_nWFzcj7mUSo2kBZ1ot9FBQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div></div><div><div>The incidents also illustrate why discussions about AI safety don't necessarily need to involve a system deliberately attempting to cause harm.</div><div><br/></div><div>A sufficiently autonomous system could cause problems simply because it interprets an objective differently from its developers, discovers an unexpected way of completing a task or interacts with another system in a way that wasn't considered when either system was designed.</div><div><br/></div><div>This is particularly relevant to business automation. Traditional automation is usually based on relatively predictable rules. A workflow might be configured so that when a particular event occurs in a CRM, a defined action follows.</div><div><br/></div><div>An AI agent can operate differently because it may be given an objective and allowed to determine the individual steps required to achieve it. That flexibility is precisely what makes agents attractive, particularly for processes that are too complicated or variable for conventional automation, but it also makes their behaviour less predictable.</div><div><br/></div><div>In a normal business environment, an unexpected action could mean incorrectly modifying CRM records, communicating with the wrong customers, accessing information that isn't relevant to the task, creating transactions or triggering other automated processes.</div><div><br/></div><div>None of those scenarios requires an AI system to be intentionally hostile. They simply require the system to have sufficient access to turn a poor decision into an action.</div></div><div></div>
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</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_l8uVFLgKIzrYL9d3MAsqbQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_bdG5mb-wJzj4OeQ_2nnVAA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_vqpDnD2VSUGENuyzEYus9g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Businesses will need to think carefully about AI permissions</span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_B5N18s-z8lmWHIeTTsimSA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div>
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</div><div><div></div><div><div>Cybersecurity already has a well-established concept for dealing with this problem. The principle of least privilege means that a person or application should only receive the permissions genuinely required to perform its role.</div><div><br/></div><div>The same approach is likely to become increasingly important for AI agents.</div><div><br/></div><div>An agent analysing CRM records may need permission to read customer information without requiring the ability to delete it. An agent helping with invoicing might be allowed to prepare transactions while requiring human approval before they are sent. An AI researching suppliers might require access to the internet without needing unrestricted access to internal documents.</div><div><br/></div><div>Businesses will also need to decide which actions remain subject to human approval. Financial transactions, deleting information, changing permissions, publishing content and communicating externally are obvious areas where allowing an agent to act completely independently deserves careful consideration.</div><div><br/></div><div>Monitoring will be equally important. If an AI is able to act on behalf of an organisation, businesses need reliable records of which systems it accessed, what it changed and which actions it performed. OpenAI's response to the Hugging Face incident includes greater monitoring of agent behaviour alongside stricter isolation and access controls, reflecting how important those safeguards become as models gain greater autonomy.</div></div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_irei_INVoybptKlA5x1wxA" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_irei_INVoybptKlA5x1wxA"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_irei_INVoybptKlA5x1wxA"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_4XGZkXDQa0mP66x09pNjiw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-center zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_RoztnLL62IQqVZJCZupDYw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-10 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_Fgrv1M1_16So5xtn-1mbsA" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_Fgrv1M1_16So5xtn-1mbsA"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 920px ; height: 373.75px ; } } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-tablet-align-center zpimage-mobile-align-center zpimage-size-fit zpimage-tablet-fallback-fit zpimage-mobile-fallback-fit hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:light"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/blog%20resources/2026/the-most-dangerous-thing-about-ai-is-giving-it-access/ai-agent-access-map.svg" size="fit" alt="Diagram showing an AI agent connected to CRM, email, finance, files, databases, web services and other tools, with permission controls and logging between the agent and each system." data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span><figcaption class="zpimage-caption zpimage-caption-align-center"><span class="zpimage-caption-content">AI agents become more useful as they connect to business systems, but each connection needs clear permissions, limits and monitoring.</span></figcaption></figure></div>
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 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>A new phase of AI adoption</span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div>
</div></h4></div><div data-element-id="elm_LlK2ILOnxTfd_gF9HmfUVQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div><div></div>
</div></div></div><div><div><div></div><div><div>AI agents could ultimately prove much more significant to businesses than the chatbots that introduced generative AI to most people. Allowing software to understand a broader objective and work across several applications could automate processes that have traditionally required considerable human administration.</div><div><br/></div><div>The events at RubyGems and Hugging Face don't undermine that opportunity, but they do provide useful evidence of why access and permissions need to develop alongside the technology.</div><div><br/></div><div>The security discussion around AI has so far concentrated heavily on the information models produce, including inaccurate answers, confidential information and generated content. Agentic AI adds another consideration because the model may increasingly be able to act on the information it produces.</div><div><br/></div><div>As businesses begin connecting AI to CRMs, finance platforms, email accounts, cloud storage and other operational systems, deciding what an agent is permitted to do may become just as important as deciding which AI model to use.</div></div><div></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 06:36:00 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[How much water does AI actually use?]]></title><link>https://www.ostratto.com/blogs/post/how-much-water-does-ai-use</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.ostratto.com/blog resources/post-cover-images/gradient-variation-10.png"/>AI uses water to cool data centres and generate electricity, but how much does each prompt consume? We examine the figures and what they mean.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_X-YFta2cTxaZ2hdVkVDzHg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_VpzeCOAEQBe7BJRRDjCe9A" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_91e6hWQlRsCpC7fjprqW4A" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_B9eFx3kCTPWgSvhPOky6Ag" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div></div>
<div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div><br/></div><div></div>
<div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div>Every time someone asks ChatGPT a question, generates an image or uses AI to analyse a document, computers inside a data centre process the request.</div><div><br/></div><div>Those computers generate heat. Keeping them cool can require water, while generating the electricity that powers them may use even more.</div><div><br/></div><div>For one simple AI prompt, the amount can be tiny. Across billions of prompts and increasingly powerful data centres, the figures become much harder to ignore.</div></div><div><br/></div><div></div></div></div></div>
<div></div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_HJD0-gmuQzp56cd19O5KTQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_NOUuOJsG-kmcNenct8CCfQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_ZHUYrApFjBrYbPQf-pVyYg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span>The short answer</span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_hePAGNKpGRTEkeBe52bwLg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div></div><div><div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div></div><div><div><div><a href="https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/infrastructure/measuring-the-environmental-impact-of-ai-inference?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="Google estimates" target="_blank" rel="">Google estim</a><a href="https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/infrastructure/measuring-the-environmental-impact-of-ai-inference?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="Google estimates" target="_blank" rel="">ates</a> that a median Gemini text prompt consumes approximately 0.26 millilitres of water, or around five drops.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>At that rate, you could submit nearly 2,000 prompts before using the equivalent of a 500 ml bottle of water. Even 10,000 prompts would account for approximately 2.6 litres.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>However, <a href="https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/infrastructure/measuring-the-environmental-impact-of-ai-inference?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="earlier academic research" target="_blank" rel="">earlier academic research</a> estimated that GPT-style models could consume around 500 ml for every 10 to 50 responses.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>The estimates differ because they examine different models, locations, cooling systems and sources of water use. AI infrastructure has also become considerably more efficient.</div><div><br/></div><div>The larger figures reveal the real scale:</div><div><ul><li>Global data centres consume more than 560 billion litres annually</li><li>A large 100 MW data centre could consume around 2.5 billion litres per year</li><li>Global data centre consumption could reach 1.2 trillion litres annually by 2030</li><li>AI-related water withdrawal has been projected to reach 4.2 to 6.6 trillion litres in 2027</li></ul></div><div><br/></div><div>Not all data centre activity relates to AI, and water withdrawal is different from water permanently consumed. Nevertheless, AI is helping to drive the rapid expansion of this infrastructure.</div></div><div><br/></div></div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_7--vlKDHWDGZlTDCLwG3yg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_rqP9PklFL6fpfuufOv4soQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_1bxbbN-kDsWm8wCnmOFb-g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span>Why does AI use water?</span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_q73dAqxZOBr1IWxqMWcC1w" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><span></span></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div>AI’s water footprint comes from three main sources.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>The first is data centre cooling. The processors used to run AI models generate substantial heat. Some data centres use evaporative cooling, where water absorbs the heat before evaporating. <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/688cb407dc6688ed50878367/Water_use_in_data_centre_and_AI_report.pdf" title="A UK report on water use in AI and data centres" target="_blank" rel="">A UK report on water use in AI and data centres</a> suggests that around 80% of the water used by these systems can be lost through evaporation.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>The second is electricity generation. Many power stations use water for cooling and other processes, creating an indirect water footprint outside the data centre.</div><div><br/></div><div>The third is chip manufacturing. Semiconductor factories use highly purified water to clean silicon wafers while producing the advanced processors on which AI depends.</div><div><br/></div><div>Some data centres use air cooling, closed-loop systems or reclaimed wastewater, so the amount of drinking-quality water required varies significantly between facilities.</div></div><div><br/></div><div><div><ul></ul></div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_mzPgRheak5-2z_oIiJW1EA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zprow-equalCol zpcol-justify-content-flex-start zpjustify-content-center zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="true"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_mzPgRheak5-2z_oIiJW1EA"].zprow{ border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:20px; margin-block-end:20px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_nZtzTN7PWt5X7SBxqvHggQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-6 zpcol-md-4 zpcol-sm-4 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_nZtzTN7PWt5X7SBxqvHggQ"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_BPsDYRXsucq4NRGtNaJIwg" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zsborder-box zplight-section zplight-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_BPsDYRXsucq4NRGtNaJIwg"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_hGIe5QQVWRFOTSk4CjIuUw" data-element-type="iconHeadingText" class="zpelement zpelem-iconheadingtext "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpicon-container zpicon-align-left zpicon-align-mobile-left zpicon-align-tablet-center zpicon-clear-align"><style></style><span class="zpicon zpicon-common zpicon-anchor zpicon-size-md zpicon-style-none "><svg viewBox="0 0 256 512" height="256" width="512" aria-label="hidden" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M192 384c0 35.346-28.654 64-64 64s-64-28.654-64-64c0-23.685 12.876-44.349 32-55.417V224c0-17.673 14.327-32 32-32s32 14.327 32 32v104.583c19.124 11.068 32 31.732 32 55.417zm32-84.653c19.912 22.563 32 52.194 32 84.653 0 70.696-57.303 128-128 128-.299 0-.609-.001-.909-.003C56.789 511.509-.357 453.636.002 383.333.166 351.135 12.225 321.755 32 299.347V96c0-53.019 42.981-96 96-96s96 42.981 96 96v203.347zM208 384c0-34.339-19.37-52.19-32-66.502V96c0-26.467-21.533-48-48-48S80 69.533 80 96v221.498c-12.732 14.428-31.825 32.1-31.999 66.08-.224 43.876 35.563 80.116 79.423 80.42L128 464c44.112 0 80-35.888 80-80z"></path></svg></span><h4 class="zpicon-heading " data-editor="true"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Data-center Cooling</span></h4><div class="zpicon-text-container " data-editor="true"><p><span>Water removes heat generated by servers.&nbsp;<span>In evaporative cooling systems, much of&nbsp;<span>that water is lost to the atmosphere.</span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br/></span></span></span></p></div>
</div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_SgTKnlKRN1wkYHuyvFU9zA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-6 zpcol-md-4 zpcol-sm-4 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_nC9a6yiJ96U2efS-iqec6Q" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zsborder-box zplight-section zplight-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_nC9a6yiJ96U2efS-iqec6Q"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_L1r3FPwDsL_BKDyq6E1ldg" data-element-type="iconHeadingText" class="zpelement zpelem-iconheadingtext "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpicon-container zpicon-align-left zpicon-align-mobile-left zpicon-align-tablet-center zpicon-clear-align"><style></style><span class="zpicon zpicon-common zpicon-anchor zpicon-size-md zpicon-style-none "><svg viewBox="0 0 320 512" height="320" width="512" aria-label="hidden" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M296 160H180.6l42.6-129.8C227.2 15 215.7 0 200 0H56C44 0 33.8 8.9 32.2 20.8l-32 240C-1.7 275.2 9.5 288 24 288h118.7L96.6 482.5c-3.6 15.2 8 29.5 23.3 29.5 8.4 0 16.4-4.4 20.8-12l176-304c9.3-15.9-2.2-36-20.7-36z"></path></svg></span><h4 class="zpicon-heading " data-editor="true"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Electricity G</span><span style="font-weight:bold;">eneration</span></h4><div class="zpicon-text-container " data-editor="true"><p><span><span>Generating the power used by AI can&nbsp;<span>consume water away from the data centre,&nbsp;<span>creating an indirect water footprint.</span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><br/></span></span></span></span></p></div>
</div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_WxZeiSbegkEvFGipCHq-Zg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-4 zpcol-sm-4 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_HqGkQqqDcGXNLYtKa7SqpQ" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zsborder-box zplight-section zplight-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_HqGkQqqDcGXNLYtKa7SqpQ"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_B7PlKWgrxhpbfz2ZMWmYpQ" data-element-type="iconHeadingText" class="zpelement zpelem-iconheadingtext "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpicon-container zpicon-align-left zpicon-align-mobile-left zpicon-align-tablet-center zpicon-clear-align"><style></style><span class="zpicon zpicon-common zpicon-anchor zpicon-size-md zpicon-style-none "><svg viewBox="0 0 512 512" height="512" width="512" aria-label="hidden" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M416 48v416c0 26.51-21.49 48-48 48H144c-26.51 0-48-21.49-48-48V48c0-26.51 21.49-48 48-48h224c26.51 0 48 21.49 48 48zm96 58v12a6 6 0 0 1-6 6h-18v6a6 6 0 0 1-6 6h-42V88h42a6 6 0 0 1 6 6v6h18a6 6 0 0 1 6 6zm0 96v12a6 6 0 0 1-6 6h-18v6a6 6 0 0 1-6 6h-42v-48h42a6 6 0 0 1 6 6v6h18a6 6 0 0 1 6 6zm0 96v12a6 6 0 0 1-6 6h-18v6a6 6 0 0 1-6 6h-42v-48h42a6 6 0 0 1 6 6v6h18a6 6 0 0 1 6 6zm0 96v12a6 6 0 0 1-6 6h-18v6a6 6 0 0 1-6 6h-42v-48h42a6 6 0 0 1 6 6v6h18a6 6 0 0 1 6 6zM30 376h42v48H30a6 6 0 0 1-6-6v-6H6a6 6 0 0 1-6-6v-12a6 6 0 0 1 6-6h18v-6a6 6 0 0 1 6-6zm0-96h42v48H30a6 6 0 0 1-6-6v-6H6a6 6 0 0 1-6-6v-12a6 6 0 0 1 6-6h18v-6a6 6 0 0 1 6-6zm0-96h42v48H30a6 6 0 0 1-6-6v-6H6a6 6 0 0 1-6-6v-12a6 6 0 0 1 6-6h18v-6a6 6 0 0 1 6-6zm0-96h42v48H30a6 6 0 0 1-6-6v-6H6a6 6 0 0 1-6-6v-12a6 6 0 0 1 6-6h18v-6a6 6 0 0 1 6-6z"></path></svg></span><h4 class="zpicon-heading " data-editor="true"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chip Manufacturing</span></h4><div class="zpicon-text-container " data-editor="true"><p><span><span><span></span></span></span></p><span>AI servers rely on advanced processors, which require ultrapure water to clean silicon wafers during manufacturing.</span><p><span><span><span><br/></span></span></span></p></div>
</div></div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_0IVEP2NSoC18nltEnsUung" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_0IVEP2NSoC18nltEnsUung"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_0IVEP2NSoC18nltEnsUung"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_O0euDCJsjy28HGbAHvKGWQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_3mGypZnfrLqpqCWdmCg1ww" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_JsG16vZmRBto9Q-rXSOtxg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span>Not every AI request is equal</span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_nWFzcj7mUSo2kBZ1ot9FBQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div></div><div><div>A short text question does not require the same computing power as generating a video, analysing hundreds of pages or asking an advanced model to work through a complex problem.</div><div><br/></div><div>Water use can be affected by:</div><div><ul><li>The model selected</li><li>The length of the input and response</li><li>Whether extended reasoning is required</li><li>The number and size of uploaded files</li><li>Whether the system generates text, images, audio or video</li><li>The efficiency of the processors</li><li>The cooling system and local weather</li><li>The source of electricity</li></ul></div><div><br/></div><div><div><a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/key-questions-on-energy-and-ai/executive-summary" title="The International Energy Agency reports" target="_blank" rel="">The International Energy Agency reports</a> that the energy needed for individual AI tasks has been falling rapidly. However, video generation, extended reasoning and autonomous agents can consume hundreds or thousands of times more energy than simple text generation.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>AI is becoming more efficient, but it is also being used more frequently and for more demanding work.</div></div><div><br/></div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_l8uVFLgKIzrYL9d3MAsqbQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_bdG5mb-wJzj4OeQ_2nnVAA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_vqpDnD2VSUGENuyzEYus9g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>What does a large data centre use?</span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_B5N18s-z8lmWHIeTTsimSA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div></div><div><div>A 100 MW hyperscale data centre could consume approximately 2.5 billion litres of water annually, depending on its design and location.</div><div><br/></div><div>That is equivalent to:</div><div><ul><li>1,000 Olympic swimming pools every year</li><li>Nearly 6.9 million litres every day</li><li>The average daily household use of around 50,000 people in England</li></ul></div><div><br/></div><div><div><a href="https://sustainability.google/reports/google-2023-environmental-report/?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="Not every data centre uses this much" target="_blank" rel="">Not every data centre uses this much</a>. Facilities using air cooling or recycled water may use considerably less. Climate also makes a difference, with hotter locations generally requiring more cooling.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>The figure still demonstrates the difference between one prompt and the infrastructure processing millions of them around the clock.</div></div></div><div><br/></div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_36pw7IQAdOwy5QS3IKcqbw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_vF99psHatFsqYb7xmZZpXw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_s_HX10sV2nC3qIkjG3zwRw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>From 224,000 to 480,000 swimming pools</span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_LlK2ILOnxTfd_gF9HmfUVQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div>Data centres globally currently consume more than 560 billion litres of water each year.</div><div><br/></div><div>That would fill approximately:</div><div><ul><li>224,000 Olympic swimming pools per year</li><li>More than 600 Olympic swimming pools every day</li><li>The equivalent annual domestic water use of over 11 million people in England</li></ul></div><div><br/></div><div>Not all of this is caused by AI. Data centres also support websites, cloud storage, streaming services and business software.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>However, AI is contributing to the construction of new data centres and the installation of more powerful computing equipment. By 2030, global data centre water consumption <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/688cb407dc6688ed50878367/Water_use_in_data_centre_and_AI_report.pdf?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="could reach 1.2 trillion litres" target="_blank" rel="">could reach 1.2 trillion litres</a> annually, equivalent to approximately 480,000 Olympic swimming pools.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>That is more than 1,300 swimming pools every day, or almost one every minute.</div></div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_LjvE1-ycrtC_DQz7OvrgjQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-center zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_kmWZ4RJl6Hpx9Cdft6ts2g" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-10 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_KHEwOY6ayd9q6Uit-4rsrA" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_KHEwOY6ayd9q6Uit-4rsrA"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 920px ; height: 516.85px ; } } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-tablet-align-center zpimage-mobile-align-center zpimage-size-fit zpimage-tablet-fallback-fit zpimage-mobile-fallback-fit hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:light"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/blog%20resources/2026/how-much-water-does-ai-use/ai-water-usage-scale.svg" size="fit" alt="Decision tree showing how to determine whether a CRM process is ready for automation by assessing process clarity, data reliability and potential time or risk savings." data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span><figcaption class="zpimage-caption zpimage-caption-align-center"><span class="zpimage-caption-content">Google, May 2025. Global totals cover all data-centre workloads, not AI alone. One Olympic pool ≈ 2.5 million litres.</span></figcaption></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_-x6e0FB7dyi4WiUPsy_KAw" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_-x6e0FB7dyi4WiUPsy_KAw"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_-x6e0FB7dyi4WiUPsy_KAw"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_vxJxeIvud5NCGTXebkcjpg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_RvftZg3i_bfDSh3LUVmCAQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_GWNrpta3wZ65oqrzjyEXzg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>How much do technology companies use?</span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_jY9USVDMvVV3TinLpmE2cA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div>In 2022, Google’s data centres consumed approximately 19.5 billion litres of water, enough to fill around 7,800 Olympic swimming pools.</div><div><br/></div><div>Microsoft reported global water consumption of approximately 6.4 billion litres during the same year, representing an increase of 34% from 2021. That equates to roughly 2,560 swimming pools.</div><div><br/></div><div>These totals cover wider cloud and corporate operations rather than AI alone. They do, however, show why per-prompt efficiency only tells part of the story.</div><div><br/></div><div>A company can reduce the water required for each AI response while increasing its total consumption because the number of users, services and data centres is growing faster.</div></div></div></div><div><br/></div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_mxfbWsZlxjLzQG9Ncn0zwg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_vVUU1SyjU3cLoOi4eSqonw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-6 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_hkB_20FP2PvtxL6YvehReQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Could AI withdraw trillions of litres?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_CW15sMcyrhKOqJrHQvV2aw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div>Academic research has projected that global AI demand could be responsible for withdrawing between 4.2 and 6.6 trillion litres of water in 2027.</div><div><br/></div><div>At the upper end, that is enough to fill approximately 2.6 million Olympic swimming pools.</div><div><br/></div><div>This figure relates to water withdrawal, which is the amount taken from a water source. Some of that water may later be treated and returned. Water consumption refers to the portion that evaporates or is otherwise unavailable for immediate reuse.</div><div><br/></div><div>The figure therefore does not mean that 6.6 trillion litres will disappear. However, withdrawing water can still affect local supplies, particularly if it is returned somewhere else, at a different temperature or after the period when it was most needed.</div></div></div></div></div><div><br/></div></div>
</div></div><div data-element-id="elm_L6VRmA-FRQVxPp7MjKLTYA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-6 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_oFAQg1W5RYltn0nS9E2faA" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Why this matters in the UK</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_RREXs19nNlkMbSRPTKFZyg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div><div><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/water-efficiency-must-become-national-priority-says-ea?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="The average person in England uses 136.5 litres of water per day" target="_blank" rel="">The average person in England uses 136.5 litres of water per day</a>. For comparison, a bath uses around 80 litres, a standard ten-minute shower can use between 100 and 150 litres, and a washing-machine cycle typically uses around 50 litres.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>England is forecast to face a daily water deficit of nearly five billion litres by 2050. That is equivalent to the current daily household use of more than 36 million people.</div><div><br/></div><div>Several existing and proposed data centre clusters are in areas already considered seriously water stressed. Cooling demand may also be highest during hot weather, precisely when household, agricultural and environmental demand is under the greatest pressure.</div><div><br/></div><div>Water use is therefore not just about the global total. Where and when it is consumed matters enormously.</div></div><div><br/></div></div></div></div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_XqVNrQnaeQHos97iIcIDXg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_jByTOHya2oYzeZYpHDVj9g" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_9F2ZINIU8OtpFXliwcOJqQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><span style="font-weight:bold;">Should businesses use AI less?</span></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_HKjrPJ_lTYaxr9WBk-Q4TA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div>The answer is not necessarily to stop using AI. A useful prompt that saves several hours of work may be a reasonable use of resources.</div><div><br/></div><div>The better question is whether AI is being used deliberately or added to processes without a clear benefit.</div><div><br/></div><div>Businesses can make more responsible choices by selecting smaller models for straightforward tasks, limiting unnecessary image and video generation, avoiding repeated requests without a purpose and considering environmental transparency when choosing technology providers.</div><div><br/></div><div>Responsibility should not sit entirely with individual users. Technology companies need to report water use more consistently, including how much drinking-quality water they consume, where it is used and which cooling technologies they deploy.</div></div><div><br/></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_diat8USFSQVhuIapUCTisw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zprow-equalCol zpcol-justify-content-flex-start zpjustify-content-center zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="true"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_diat8USFSQVhuIapUCTisw"].zprow{ border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:20px; margin-block-end:20px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_bc0qII3Vz2CiZsoHcLAkrQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-5 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_bc0qII3Vz2CiZsoHcLAkrQ"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_PeGoK5qjdU5HHPweRXj2kg" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zsborder-box zplight-section zplight-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_PeGoK5qjdU5HHPweRXj2kg"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_KTQ21reFiTpmDP3ThF34PA" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Water use is falling</span></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_Z1VjJYMQfLlHusYbhdc3jw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><span>AI models, processors and data centres are becoming more efficient. A simple prompt can now require less energy and cooling water than it once did, reducing the environmental impact of each individual task.</span><p><br/></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_400mxc94ZBdxt_J60TYUbA" data-element-type="icon" class="zpelement zpelem-icon "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpicon-container zpicon-align-center zpicon-align-mobile-center zpicon-align-tablet-center"><style></style><span class="zpicon zpicon-common zpicon-anchor zpicon-size-lg zpicon-style-none "><svg viewBox="0 0 512 512" height="512" width="512" aria-label="hidden" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M500 384c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v40c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H12c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12V76c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h40c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v308h436zM372.7 159.5L288 216l-85.3-113.7c-5.1-6.8-15.5-6.3-19.9 1L96 248v104h384l-89.9-187.8c-3.2-6.5-11.4-8.7-17.4-4.7z"></path></svg></span></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_5peWqBisIpLwqQsuTzcS6w" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-5 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_H6ajMQ0Si7LiqBUDG4tXLA" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zsborder-box zplight-section zplight-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_H6ajMQ0Si7LiqBUDG4tXLA"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_DlWGlZGpPme6nK17LcGSaA" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><span style="font-weight:bold;">AI usage is rising</span></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_Umfl3zujlfHfbGeTHm0bLg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p><span>At the same time, more people and businesses are adopting AI for increasingly complex work. The growth in users, prompts, image generation and other demanding tasks can outweigh the savings achieved per interaction.</span></p><p><span><br/></span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_OnxSLkK1ZW_gBiXw8I0ETg" data-element-type="icon" class="zpelement zpelem-icon "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpicon-container zpicon-align-center zpicon-align-mobile-center zpicon-align-tablet-center"><style></style><span class="zpicon zpicon-common zpicon-anchor zpicon-size-lg zpicon-style-none "><svg viewBox="0 0 640 512" height="640" width="512" aria-label="hidden" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M96 224c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64s-28.7-64-64-64-64 28.7-64 64 28.7 64 64 64zm448 0c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64s-28.7-64-64-64-64 28.7-64 64 28.7 64 64 64zm32 32h-64c-17.6 0-33.5 7.1-45.1 18.6 40.3 22.1 68.9 62 75.1 109.4h66c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32v-32c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64zm-256 0c61.9 0 112-50.1 112-112S381.9 32 320 32 208 82.1 208 144s50.1 112 112 112zm76.8 32h-8.3c-20.8 10-43.9 16-68.5 16s-47.6-6-68.5-16h-8.3C179.6 288 128 339.6 128 403.2V432c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h288c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48v-28.8c0-63.6-51.6-115.2-115.2-115.2zm-223.7-13.4C161.5 263.1 145.6 256 128 256H64c-35.3 0-64 28.7-64 64v32c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32h65.9c6.3-47.4 34.9-87.3 75.2-109.4z"></path></svg></span></div>
</div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_gjE18ZlmSapQ05ULvZyLrA" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_gjE18ZlmSapQ05ULvZyLrA"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_gjE18ZlmSapQ05ULvZyLrA"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_iJbNFIg6nbhdV1yWvGAtxQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_9lWuhaAL5dF-oq78tf0LJg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_roO39-0fj5KGrmSf4Ofx8A" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><span style="font-weight:bold;">Five drops can still become a flood</span></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_oB6OR4WJOmYCRfcHweEkiA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div><div>It is misleading to suggest that every short AI conversation consumes an entire bottle of water. <a href="https://cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com/is/content/microsoftcorp/microsoft/msc/documents/presentations/CSR/Microsoft-2024-Environmental-Sustainability-Report.pdf?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="Recent provider data" target="_blank" rel="">Recent provider data</a> indicates that a straightforward text prompt can use only a fraction of a millilitre.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>It would be equally misleading to use that figure to dismiss the industry’s wider impact.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>Data centres already consume hundreds of billions of litres each year. That demand <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/key-questions-on-energy-and-ai/executive-summary" title="could reach 1.2 trillion litres by 2030" target="_blank" rel="">could reach 1.2 trillion litres by 2030</a> as AI use grows and applications become more demanding.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>One useful prompt is unlikely to create a meaningful water problem. Billions of prompts and enormous data centres concentrated in water-stressed areas potentially can.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br/></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_924oHF8eLH1hApjh5zU6Mg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_rsFeGvib49B1bHoZKlnCeg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_D9tVx0kGjefEkpW5QZqk-g" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_hDmjagbyhzh7087gN_QyFA" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_hDmjagbyhzh7087gN_QyFA"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_hDmjagbyhzh7087gN_QyFA"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_rqI20yfUVrX-8h2qHbkCRA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zprow-equalCol zpcol-justify-content-flex-start zpjustify-content-center zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="true"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_rqI20yfUVrX-8h2qHbkCRA"].zprow{ border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:20px; margin-block-end:20px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_wLxMmVNUeBZX7fWKaHmifg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-4 zpcol-sm-4 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_wLxMmVNUeBZX7fWKaHmifg"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_3ae1CBkP3xtff2PgbpeFwQ" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zsborder-box zplight-section zplight-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_3ae1CBkP3xtff2PgbpeFwQ"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_7WoLQQt7MSWgqFln992mvQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><b>Contact</b></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_q-0ViYxbYtugudA7zPEAsA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><div><span style="color:inherit;"></span></div><span></span><span></span><span>Get in touch with the team to discuss how we support your business with practical, people-first technology and long-term solutions.</span><div><span style="color:inherit;"><br/></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_ikLL8_QtT8JME8gH638BUA" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style></style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-left zpbutton-align-mobile-left zpbutton-align-tablet-left"><style type="text/css"></style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md zpbutton-style-oval zpbutton-outline " href="/contact" title="Link to Contact page" title="Link to Contact page"><span class="zpbutton-content">Contact us</span></a></div>
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</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_6FnYoD5dWl2xoufuY4jzSA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-4 zpcol-sm-4 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_aImcwg5MEnGS8-6Dfyswfg" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zsborder-box zplight-section zplight-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_aImcwg5MEnGS8-6Dfyswfg"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_pr9x7C5O6CPdgCqyQSTdGw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
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<div data-element-id="elm_5Wz821ffgqDYfbaEfY1NNw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><div><span style="color:inherit;"></span></div><span>Learn who we are, what we stand for, and how Ostratto helps businesses make their work, less work through practical technology solutions.</span><div><span style="color:inherit;"><br/></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_jtCe-HhOQWpyzzU6vqmziQ" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style></style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-left zpbutton-align-mobile-left zpbutton-align-tablet-left"><style type="text/css"></style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md zpbutton-style-oval zpbutton-outline " href="/about" title="Link to About page" title="Link to About page"><span class="zpbutton-content">Learn More</span></a></div>
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</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_6IaSIo-6egkfvcoZGgf8mw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-4 zpcol-sm-4 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_gD7FCRwzVSa04g80tjwpYA" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zsborder-box zplight-section zplight-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_gD7FCRwzVSa04g80tjwpYA"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_1hMFlitwptT66D4kfnNCVg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
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</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:20:00 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Could AI actually be a risk to humanity?]]></title><link>https://www.ostratto.com/blogs/post/could-ai-be-a-risk-to-humanity</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.ostratto.com/blog resources/post-cover-images/gradient-variation-1.jpg"/>AI researchers are warning that advanced AI could pose a serious risk to humanity. We look beyond the headlines at how that could actually happen.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_X-YFta2cTxaZ2hdVkVDzHg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_VpzeCOAEQBe7BJRRDjCe9A" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_91e6hWQlRsCpC7fjprqW4A" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_B9eFx3kCTPWgSvhPOky6Ag" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div></div>
<div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div><br/></div><div>There is something unusual happening in artificial intelligence. Some of the people working on the world's most advanced AI systems are warning that the technology they are helping to develop could eventually pose a catastrophic risk to humanity. Others within the same field argue that these fears are exaggerated, based on speculative assumptions about technologies that do not yet exist.</div><div><br/></div><div>That disagreement might be easier to dismiss if AI development were progressing slowly. It isn't. The largest technology companies are spending extraordinary amounts of money on computing infrastructure, new models are arriving regularly, and AI systems are being given greater autonomy and access to tools that allow them to do more than simply generate text.</div><div><br/></div><div>Governments have responded by establishing AI safety institutes and developing new regulations, while researchers are testing whether increasingly capable models can operate independently, deceive evaluators or perform some of the tasks that would theoretically be required to replicate themselves.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>The debate has now reached some unlikely places. <a href="https://apple.news/AyM-TVcxMT7-wOn2n3YKZ3g" title="King Charles is hosting an AI summit at Dumfries House" target="_blank" rel="">King Charles is hosting an AI summit at Dumfries House</a>, bringing together senior figures from the technology industry to discuss the future development of artificial intelligence and its impact on society.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>Against that background, the question of whether AI could eventually present a serious risk to humanity no longer feels quite as easy to dismiss as science fiction. The difficult part is working out how seriously we should take a danger that remains highly uncertain.</div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div></div></div></div>
<div></div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_0sdO6RFqoJVnjQerPHJlDA" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_0sdO6RFqoJVnjQerPHJlDA"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_0sdO6RFqoJVnjQerPHJlDA"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_HJD0-gmuQzp56cd19O5KTQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_NOUuOJsG-kmcNenct8CCfQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_ZHUYrApFjBrYbPQf-pVyYg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>How worried are the people building it?</span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_hePAGNKpGRTEkeBe52bwLg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div></div><div><div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div></div><div><div><div><a href="https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/infrastructure/measuring-the-environmental-impact-of-ai-inference?utm_source=ostratto.com" title="Google estimates" target="_blank" rel=""></a></div></div></div><div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div><div>In September 2026, concerns about AI risk received renewed attention following warnings from researchers working close to the technology. In <a href="https://theconversation.com/could-ai-really-kill-off-humanity-within-the-decade-expert-qanda-291725" title="an interview" target="_blank" rel="">an interview</a> examining whether AI could realistically threaten humanity within the next decade, The Conversation discussed an estimate from Anthropic alignment researcher Evan Hubinger that there was a greater than 10% probability of AI killing humanity within that period.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>That figure needs considerable context. Humanity has never built a superintelligent AI, so there is no historical evidence from which anyone can reliably calculate such a probability. Professor Kate Devlin of King's College London points out that predictions of human-level or superhuman AI being only a few years away have been made before, and nobody actually knows whether today's technology will ultimately lead there.</div><div><br/></div><div>But uncertainty doesn't necessarily make the issue irrelevant. When the possible consequences are sufficiently severe, even a small and uncertain probability can justify precautions. The problem with AI is that we're being asked to make those judgements while the technology itself is changing extremely quickly.</div></div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_KmfXA8-5jmRnq_nyeFiARg" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_KmfXA8-5jmRnq_nyeFiARg"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_KmfXA8-5jmRnq_nyeFiARg"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_7--vlKDHWDGZlTDCLwG3yg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_rqP9PklFL6fpfuufOv4soQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_1bxbbN-kDsWm8wCnmOFb-g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>What could actually go wrong?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_q73dAqxZOBr1IWxqMWcC1w" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div><span></span></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div>The popular version of an AI catastrophe usually involves machines becoming conscious and turning against humans. Most serious AI safety research is considerably less cinematic.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>One of the more immediate concerns is misuse. <a href="https://internationalaisafetyreport.org/publication/2026-report" title="The 2026 International AI Safety Report" target="_blank" rel="">The 2026 International AI Safety Report</a> examines the potential for increasingly capable AI to assist with cyber attacks and provide information relevant to biological and chemical weapons. There are still substantial practical barriers between an AI providing information and somebody successfully causing serious harm, but more capable systems could gradually make specialist knowledge and complex processes easier to access.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>AI also doesn't necessarily need to be deliberately misused. As we move from chatbots that provide answers towards AI agents that can access browsers, files, software and other systems, mistakes become more consequential. An incorrect chatbot response can be ignored; an autonomous system acting on an incorrect assumption may be able to make changes before a human intervenes.</div><div><br/></div><div>The most extreme scenario is a future AI sufficiently capable and autonomous that humans struggle to control it. Today's systems aren't capable of this, something the International AI Safety Report makes clear. What interests researchers is whether some of the capabilities that might eventually contribute to such a scenario are beginning to emerge.</div></div></div><div><div><ul></ul></div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_xADbAHKw9umyv9se35X-9A" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_xADbAHKw9umyv9se35X-9A"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_xADbAHKw9umyv9se35X-9A"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_O0euDCJsjy28HGbAHvKGWQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_3mGypZnfrLqpqCWdmCg1ww" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_JsG16vZmRBto9Q-rXSOtxg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Some of those capabilities are improving quickly</span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_nWFzcj7mUSo2kBZ1ot9FBQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div>The UK's <a href="https://www.aisi.gov.uk/frontier-ai-trends-report" title="AI Security Institute" target="_blank" rel="">AI Security Institute</a> tests frontier AI models against tasks associated with autonomy, cyber security and other potentially dangerous capabilities.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>One particularly striking example involves simplified self-replication evaluations. These are controlled tests of individual skills that might be required for an AI to obtain computing resources and maintain access to them. In 2023, the strongest models achieved success rates below 5% across many of these evaluations. By 2025, frontier models had achieved more than 60%.</div><div><br/></div><div>That does not mean an AI currently has a 60% chance of escaping onto the internet and copying itself. AISI says current models still struggle with important parts of the process and there is no evidence that models are spontaneously attempting to self-replicate.</div><div><br/></div><div>The significance is the speed at which capabilities are changing. AISI has found rapid improvements across the areas it measures, with performance in some categories doubling approximately every eight months.</div><div><br/></div><div>That doesn't demonstrate that an AI catastrophe is approaching. It does explain why some researchers are uncomfortable waiting for definitive evidence of danger before taking precautions.</div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_XyMyn1JzmmbAyzCAWdSDvg" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_XyMyn1JzmmbAyzCAWdSDvg"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_XyMyn1JzmmbAyzCAWdSDvg"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_l8uVFLgKIzrYL9d3MAsqbQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_bdG5mb-wJzj4OeQ_2nnVAA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_vqpDnD2VSUGENuyzEYus9g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>There are good reasons to be sceptical</span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_B5N18s-z8lmWHIeTTsimSA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div>Existential AI risk shouldn't be treated as established fact simply because prominent people within the industry are discussing it.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>As <a href="https://theconversation.com/could-ai-really-kill-off-humanity-within-the-decade-expert-qanda-291725" title="Professor Kate Devlin" target="_blank" rel="">Professor Kate Devlin</a> argues, we don't currently have superintelligence and nobody knows when, or even whether, it will arrive. Today's systems remain unreliable in surprisingly basic ways, and there is no guarantee that making current models larger will eventually create something vastly more intelligent than humans.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>There are commercial incentives worth considering too. AI companies benefit from the perception that the technology they're developing is extraordinarily powerful. Describing AI as potentially civilisation-changing can attract investment, political attention and customers as effectively as it can generate genuine concern.</div><div><br/></div><div>There is also a risk that hypothetical extinction scenarios distract attention from problems already happening. AI-assisted fraud, misinformation, copyright disputes, environmental impacts and disruption to employment don't require superintelligence.</div><div><br/></div><div>It shouldn't have to be one debate or the other. We can address the measurable harms of today's AI while investigating the potentially much larger risks of future systems.</div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_irei_INVoybptKlA5x1wxA" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_irei_INVoybptKlA5x1wxA"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_irei_INVoybptKlA5x1wxA"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_36pw7IQAdOwy5QS3IKcqbw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_vF99psHatFsqYb7xmZZpXw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_s_HX10sV2nC3qIkjG3zwRw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>The bigger risk may be the race</span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_LlK2ILOnxTfd_gF9HmfUVQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div>Perhaps the strongest reason for taking AI safety seriously is the incentive structure surrounding its development.</div><div><br/></div><div>OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta and others are competing for customers, investment, computing power and technical talent. Governments increasingly regard AI leadership as strategically important too.</div><div><br/></div><div>That makes slowing down difficult. If one company delays a new system because it believes further safety research is required, a competitor may continue. The same problem exists between countries. Cautious development might benefit everyone collectively while rapid development remains the rational choice for each individual participant.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>This is behind some of the calls for international intervention. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/sep/11/risky-ai-research-pause-humanity" title="Writing in The Guardian, Gaby Hinsliff argues" target="_blank" rel="">Writing in The Guardian, Gaby Hinsliff argues</a> for pausing particularly risky areas of AI research while international safeguards are developed, rather than stopping AI research altogether.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>That distinction matters. We already accept that potentially transformative technologies can require significant restrictions without abandoning them. Pharmaceuticals undergo clinical trials, aircraft require certification and nuclear technology is subject to extensive controls. AI is different from all of those technologies, but the principle that greater potential consequences justify greater scrutiny isn't particularly radical.</div></div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_ZY-yGKH9MOn4ua8PdoQ9HA" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_ZY-yGKH9MOn4ua8PdoQ9HA"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_ZY-yGKH9MOn4ua8PdoQ9HA"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_vxJxeIvud5NCGTXebkcjpg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_RvftZg3i_bfDSh3LUVmCAQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_GWNrpta3wZ65oqrzjyEXzg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>So, could AI actually threaten humanity?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br/></span></span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_jY9USVDMvVV3TinLpmE2cA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div></div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div>There is currently no good reason to believe that ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or another existing AI system is about to destroy humanity. Current models lack the autonomy and broader capabilities required by the more extreme scenarios being discussed.</div><div><br/></div><div>There is equally little basis for confidently saying that sufficiently advanced AI could never become dangerous. We don't know how capable these systems will become, how quickly those capabilities will emerge or whether the safety techniques being developed alongside them will prove sufficient.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>The <a href="https://internationalaisafetyreport.org/publication/2026-report" title="2026 International AI Safety Report" target="_blank" rel="">2026 International AI Safety Report</a> reflects this uncertainty rather well. Its contributors don't agree on the probability of humanity losing control of future AI systems and the report doesn't predict that such an outcome will happen. It does, however, recognise that the possible consequences are serious enough to justify research and preparation.</div></div><div><br/></div><div><div>The fact that <a href="https://apple.news/AyM-TVcxMT7-wOn2n3YKZ3g" title="King Charles is now bringing" target="_blank" rel="">King Charles is now bringing</a> some of the industry's biggest names together to discuss the future of AI is another indication of how far this discussion has moved beyond technology companies and research laboratories.</div></div><div><br/></div><div>Perhaps today's fears about superintelligence will eventually look misplaced. Current AI architectures might reach their limits and the predicted leap towards vastly more capable systems may never happen.</div><div><br/></div><div>But we're currently developing the technology while simultaneously trying to understand what its limits and risks might be. The important question isn't whether anyone can prove that AI will threaten humanity, because nobody can. It's how much evidence of that possibility we should require before deciding that some precautions are worthwhile.</div></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_924oHF8eLH1hApjh5zU6Mg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_rsFeGvib49B1bHoZKlnCeg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_D9tVx0kGjefEkpW5QZqk-g" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_hDmjagbyhzh7087gN_QyFA" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_hDmjagbyhzh7087gN_QyFA"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_hDmjagbyhzh7087gN_QyFA"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 20:48:00 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why We’re Not Pursuing B Corp Certification]]></title><link>https://www.ostratto.com/blogs/post/why-we-are-not-pursuing-b-corp-certification</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.ostratto.com/blog resources/post-cover-images/gradient-variation-5.jpg"/>Why isn't Ostratto a B Corp? We explain why we're not pursuing B Corp certification and why we believe responsible business is about more than a badge.]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_X-YFta2cTxaZ2hdVkVDzHg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_VpzeCOAEQBe7BJRRDjCe9A" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_91e6hWQlRsCpC7fjprqW4A" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_B9eFx3kCTPWgSvhPOky6Ag" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div></div><div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div><br/></div><div></div><div><div></div><div><div>B Corp has become one of the most recognisable certifications for businesses wanting to demonstrate that they take their social and environmental responsibilities seriously. We understand why companies pursue it, and many of the principles behind B Corp are principles we share. Businesses should consider their environmental impact, treat people properly, make responsible decisions and recognise that their responsibilities extend beyond simply generating profit.</div><div><br/></div><div>Despite that, Ostratto isn't a B Corp, and becoming one isn't something we're currently pursuing.</div><div><br/></div><div>That isn't because we're against B Corp or because we think businesses that have achieved certification are wasting their time. For many organisations, going through a formal certification process can provide useful structure and accountability, while encouraging them to examine areas of their business they might otherwise overlook.</div><div><br/></div><div>Our view is simply that certification isn't the right priority for Ostratto. We'd rather put the time, money and effort involved into making tangible improvements to the way we operate, while taking useful ideas from frameworks such as B Corp without necessarily needing the badge that comes with them.</div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>
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</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_HJD0-gmuQzp56cd19O5KTQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_NOUuOJsG-kmcNenct8CCfQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_ZHUYrApFjBrYbPQf-pVyYg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span>What does the badge actually tell us?</span><span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_hePAGNKpGRTEkeBe52bwLg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div></div></div><div><div></div></div><div><div>Part of our hesitation comes from a broader question about what certification actually communicates.</div><div><br/></div><div>Certifications can be extremely valuable. In areas such as information security, quality management or technical competence, independently demonstrating that you comply with a recognised standard can provide customers with important assurances.</div><div><br/></div><div>Responsible business is more difficult to reduce to a certification.</div><div><br/></div><div>One of the most prominent examples of this debate came when Nespresso achieved B Corp certification in 2022. Its admission attracted criticism from within the B Corp community itself, with more than 30 B Corps and other organisations signing an open letter objecting to the decision. Critics raised concerns about Nespresso's supply chain and questioned whether the certification process was sufficiently demanding of large multinational businesses.</div><div><br/></div><div>Nespresso, for its part, has invested substantially in areas such as recycling, sustainable coffee sourcing and environmental initiatives, and B Lab stood behind its decision to certify the company. We're not suggesting that Ostratto is in a position to decide whether Nespresso should or shouldn't qualify.</div><div><br/></div><div>The controversy does, however, demonstrate the limitations of reducing something as complicated as responsible business to a single badge.</div><div><br/></div><div>Under the B Corp framework used at the time, companies could achieve the required overall score while performing more strongly in some areas than others. That meant two businesses with very different operations, impacts and individual category scores could ultimately display the same B Corp certification.</div><div><br/></div><div>Importantly, B Lab has recognised some of these concerns and has since overhauled its standards. Its newer framework requires businesses to meet requirements across seven impact areas rather than relying on an aggregate score where stronger performance in one area could compensate for weaker performance elsewhere.</div><div><br/></div><div>We think that's a positive development, and it's important to acknowledge it.</div><div><br/></div><div>There have also been examples showing that B Corp isn't simply a badge awarded indefinitely. BrewDog, for example, lost its B Corp certification in 2022 after B Lab investigated concerns surrounding the company and requested additional measures that BrewDog ultimately did not complete.</div><div><br/></div><div>So our position isn't that B Corp has no standards or accountability. Clearly it does, and those standards continue to evolve.</div><div><br/></div><div>Our point is that no certification can give customers the complete picture of a business.</div></div></div>
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</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_7--vlKDHWDGZlTDCLwG3yg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_rqP9PklFL6fpfuufOv4soQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_1bxbbN-kDsWm8wCnmOFb-g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span>Responsibility happens between assessments</span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_q73dAqxZOBr1IWxqMWcC1w" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p></p><div><div><div></div></div></div><div><div>A certification can independently demonstrate that a company has met a particular framework. What it can't do is make the thousands of decisions that determine how that company behaves after the assessment is finished.</div><div><br/></div><div>For a business like ours, those decisions happen constantly. Do we recommend the product that genuinely suits a customer, or the one that generates the best margin for us? Do we replace equipment because something newer is available, or help a customer extend the life of what they already have? Do we add another piece of software to solve a problem, or look at whether the technology they already pay for can do the job?</div><div><br/></div><div>The same applies internally. Which suppliers do we choose? How much unnecessary travel do we create? What happens to equipment at the end of its life? How efficiently do we use computing resources? How do we treat our team, customers and partners when nobody is assessing us?</div><div><br/></div><div>We think the answers to those questions tell you considerably more about a business than the presence or absence of a logo on its website.</div></div><div><div><ul></ul></div></div></div>
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</div><div data-element-id="elm_oQQi5z4X-dlpzlaW2u54wQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h3
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-center zpheading-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Our Promise</span></h3></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_Q0T9LD1vAxEBKcjJ-U94Jg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_Q0T9LD1vAxEBKcjJ-U94Jg"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:20px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div>Every solution we implement, every partner we choose, and every recommendation we make is evaluated through the lens of sustainability. This commitment extends beyond environmental impact to ensure long-term viability and efficiency for our clients.</div><div><br/></div></div></div>
</div></div><div data-element-id="elm_Va5Xt-PqjqWjF4WJggQlTg" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_Va5Xt-PqjqWjF4WJggQlTg"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_Va5Xt-PqjqWjF4WJggQlTg"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_O0euDCJsjy28HGbAHvKGWQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_3mGypZnfrLqpqCWdmCg1ww" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_JsG16vZmRBto9Q-rXSOtxg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span>What this looks like at Ostratto</span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_nWFzcj7mUSo2kBZ1ot9FBQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div></div></div><div><div>Technology has an environmental footprint, but as a technology consultancy we also have an opportunity to influence the footprint of the organisations we work with. The systems we recommend, the hardware we supply and the way we deliver projects all have consequences, so sustainability forms part of how we evaluate technology.</div><div><br/></div><div>Around 90% of our implementation work is conducted virtually. We operate as a remote-first organisation ourselves, champion hybrid working and maintain zero on-premise servers or infrastructure, relying instead on cloud services. Our training and documentation are predominantly digital, and our implementation methodology makes extensive use of cloud environments, remote collaboration and automated processes.</div><div><br/></div><div>We also try not to treat technology as disposable. Our procurement approach prioritises energy-efficient equipment, and we aim to extend the useful life of devices through maintenance rather than replacing them prematurely. When equipment reaches the end of its useful life, we use certified electronic waste recyclers.</div><div><br/></div><div>The same thinking extends to the technology we recommend. We favour cloud-first solutions where they're appropriate, look for opportunities to consolidate overlapping platforms and consider the computational overhead of the software we select. Digital transformation can also replace paper-heavy processes and unnecessary physical workflows while simultaneously making a business more efficient.</div><div><br/></div><div>We're also vendor agnostic. We design solutions around what an organisation actually needs rather than forcing every customer into a predetermined technology stack. For us, being a responsible technology partner includes being prepared to recommend the appropriate solution rather than simply the product that is most commercially convenient for us.</div><div><br/></div><div>Alongside reducing our own impact, we're part of Stripe Climate, with a fraction of purchases made through Ostratto helping to fund next-generation carbon removal technologies.</div><div><br/></div><div>None of those things makes us a perfectly sustainable business, and we're not presenting them as equivalent to independent certification. They're simply examples of decisions we've already made about how we want Ostratto to operate.</div><div><br/></div><div><div>You can read more about what we're doing and the thinking behind it on our <a href="/about/sustainability" title="Sustainability page" rel="">Sustainability</a> page as well as in our <a href="/policies/sustainability-policy" title="Sustainability Policy page" rel="">Sustainability Policy</a>.</div></div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_1GWfV3HRlDxP0abvy8I7nw" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_1GWfV3HRlDxP0abvy8I7nw"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_1GWfV3HRlDxP0abvy8I7nw"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_4vx-GBZzbehbHZ0zRAOsnA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zprow-equalCol zpcol-justify-content-flex-start zpjustify-content-center " data-equal-column="true"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_4vx-GBZzbehbHZ0zRAOsnA"].zprow{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_720NhK1DcPn0x-gG4EF9jQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-6 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_720NhK1DcPn0x-gG4EF9jQ"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_SjxaQryXbX9m5fzt56uDgA" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_SjxaQryXbX9m5fzt56uDgA"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_hG8mLsyS0cCEJA9KLcPDFQ" data-element-type="icon" class="zpelement zpelem-icon "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpicon-container zpicon-align-left zpicon-align-mobile-left zpicon-align-tablet-left"><style></style><span class="zpicon zpicon-common zpicon-anchor zpicon-size-md zpicon-style-none "><svg viewBox="0 0 640 512" height="640" width="512" aria-label="hidden" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M537.6 226.6c4.1-10.7 6.4-22.4 6.4-34.6 0-53-43-96-96-96-19.7 0-38.1 6-53.3 16.2C367 64.2 315.3 32 256 32c-88.4 0-160 71.6-160 160 0 2.7.1 5.4.2 8.1C40.2 219.8 0 273.2 0 336c0 79.5 64.5 144 144 144h368c70.7 0 128-57.3 128-128 0-61.9-44-113.6-102.4-125.4z"></path></svg></span></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_zYVZM-5_0rzgJ8HyTLdGNg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cloud-first</span></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_rQmwW8SP3ffWjXB6dYd6Ew" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_rQmwW8SP3ffWjXB6dYd6Ew"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><span style="color:inherit;">Our cloud-first approach leverages shared computing resources and modern data centres operating at peak efficiency. By moving to the cloud, businesses dramatically reduce their hardware footprint while benefiting from providers committed to renewable energy and sustainable operations.</span></div><div style="color:inherit;"><span style="color:inherit;"><br/></span></div></div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_wxhGH_jMmWdZ-W1wzRtHDQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-6 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_wxhGH_jMmWdZ-W1wzRtHDQ"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_Vjzw-cIu5r9X7DfV_kkXVA" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_Vjzw-cIu5r9X7DfV_kkXVA"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_-LfnseTKNHiGKC8aogUGeQ" data-element-type="icon" class="zpelement zpelem-icon "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpicon-container zpicon-align-left zpicon-align-mobile-left zpicon-align-tablet-left"><style></style><span class="zpicon zpicon-common zpicon-anchor zpicon-size-md zpicon-style-none "><svg viewBox="0 0 448 512" height="448" width="512" aria-label="hidden" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M320 448v40c0 13.255-10.745 24-24 24H24c-13.255 0-24-10.745-24-24V120c0-13.255 10.745-24 24-24h72v296c0 30.879 25.121 56 56 56h168zm0-344V0H152c-13.255 0-24 10.745-24 24v368c0 13.255 10.745 24 24 24h272c13.255 0 24-10.745 24-24V128H344c-13.2 0-24-10.8-24-24zm120.971-31.029L375.029 7.029A24 24 0 0 0 358.059 0H352v96h96v-6.059a24 24 0 0 0-7.029-16.97z"></path></svg></span></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_vC64yBa0T2rajhAsNm8WfQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><span style="color:inherit;font-weight:bold;">Digital Transformation</span></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_2GvOC4FbuHplurexI-E11g" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_2GvOC4FbuHplurexI-E11g"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><span style="color:inherit;">Paper-based processes create hidden environmental costs through manufacturing, transportation, storage, and disposal. Our digital solutions, powered by intelligent integrated suites, eliminate these impacts while streamlining operations. From paperless workflows to digital approvals, we help businesses reduce their physical footprint while improving efficiency.</span></div><div style="color:inherit;"><span style="color:inherit;"><br/></span></div></div></div>
</div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_86Y41tOefVj--oeqLPgeTg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zprow-equalCol zpcol-justify-content-flex-start zpjustify-content-center " data-equal-column="true"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_86Y41tOefVj--oeqLPgeTg"].zprow{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_ssSdZ0b6RMrEwljuIOyXdA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-6 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_5QoWo5n8i7ikAJwZtwb9ig" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_5QoWo5n8i7ikAJwZtwb9ig"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_sTkdkwmSxb5aAnt_IpHAcg" data-element-type="icon" class="zpelement zpelem-icon "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpicon-container zpicon-align-left zpicon-align-mobile-left zpicon-align-tablet-left"><style></style><span class="zpicon zpicon-common zpicon-anchor zpicon-size-md zpicon-style-none "><svg viewBox="0 0 384 512" height="384" width="512" aria-label="hidden" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M172.268 501.67C26.97 291.031 0 269.413 0 192 0 85.961 85.961 0 192 0s192 85.961 192 192c0 77.413-26.97 99.031-172.268 309.67-9.535 13.774-29.93 13.773-39.464 0z"></path></svg></span></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_np-O8olDLhY5JPjwVzIkmA" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><span style="color:inherit;font-weight:bold;">Remote Work Enablement</span></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_oQvSqU5aEgf9IIu3CHsC5g" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_oQvSqU5aEgf9IIu3CHsC5g"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><p style="color:inherit;"><span style="color:inherit;">The daily commute significantly impacts an organisation's carbon footprint. Our remote work solutions create effective digital workspaces that eliminate unnecessary travel while maintaining productivity. This approach reduces both environmental impact and operational costs, creating a win-win for businesses and the planet.</span></p><p style="color:inherit;"><span style="color:inherit;"><br/></span></p></div></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_Pyyc75pDkg609qMBS1L-Hg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-6 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_dG-avwMEwG_fGfqtk-CH6Q" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_dG-avwMEwG_fGfqtk-CH6Q"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_E1A3HKskSWtA-JIVm28VXQ" data-element-type="icon" class="zpelement zpelem-icon "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpicon-container zpicon-align-left zpicon-align-mobile-left zpicon-align-tablet-left"><style></style><span class="zpicon zpicon-common zpicon-anchor zpicon-size-md zpicon-style-none "><svg viewBox="0 0 640 512" height="640" width="512" aria-label="hidden" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M544 160v64h32v64h-32v64H64V160h480m16-64H48c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48v224c0 26.51 21.49 48 48 48h512c26.51 0 48-21.49 48-48v-16h8c13.255 0 24-10.745 24-24V184c0-13.255-10.745-24-24-24h-8v-16c0-26.51-21.49-48-48-48zm-48 96H96v128h416V192z"></path></svg></span></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_HMLqg39Fw8W5hMJs5XWPlg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><span style="color:inherit;font-weight:bold;">Energy-Efficient Software</span></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_zuQCHGUR4KlkdUUUFwejpg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_zuQCHGUR4KlkdUUUFwejpg"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><p style="color:inherit;"><span style="color:inherit;">We select solutions that minimise computational overhead while maximising functionality. Through careful vendor selection and strategic platform consolidation, we help businesses reduce their digital energy footprint. Our integrated approach eliminates redundant systems and optimises resource usage across your technology stack.</span></p><p style="color:inherit;"><span style="color:inherit;"><br/></span></p></div></div>
</div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_esA2J4ErN896bRKpLFMqew" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_esA2J4ErN896bRKpLFMqew"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_esA2J4ErN896bRKpLFMqew"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_l8uVFLgKIzrYL9d3MAsqbQ" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_bdG5mb-wJzj4OeQ_2nnVAA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_vqpDnD2VSUGENuyzEYus9g" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span>Why not get certified as well?</span><span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_B5N18s-z8lmWHIeTTsimSA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div></div></div><div><div>The obvious question is that if we already agree with many of the principles, why not go through the process and become certified anyway?</div><div><br/></div><div>For a business of our size, any certification requires resources. There's the direct financial cost, but there's also the time required to assess, document, evidence and maintain compliance. That investment can absolutely be worthwhile when the certification itself creates sufficient value.</div><div><br/></div><div>At the moment, we don't believe B Corp certification would create enough additional value for our customers, our team or our business to justify making it a priority.</div><div><br/></div><div>We'd rather invest those resources directly into improving the business and continue holding ourselves accountable for the decisions we make.</div><div><br/></div><div>That doesn't mean we can't learn from B Corp. Quite the opposite. If a framework highlights something we could be doing better, there's no reason we need to wait until we're pursuing certification before doing something about it.</div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_xRMRrt7fs3nTKlwXZIMNLQ" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_xRMRrt7fs3nTKlwXZIMNLQ"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_xRMRrt7fs3nTKlwXZIMNLQ"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_36pw7IQAdOwy5QS3IKcqbw" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_vF99psHatFsqYb7xmZZpXw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_s_HX10sV2nC3qIkjG3zwRw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span>We're not claiming to have it all figured out</span><span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_LlK2ILOnxTfd_gF9HmfUVQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div></div></div><div><div>Perhaps the most important part of this is acknowledging that Ostratto isn't a perfectly sustainable or responsible business. We aren't, and we'd be sceptical of any organisation that claimed it had reached that point.</div><div><br/></div><div>There will always be areas where we can improve. As Ostratto grows, decisions that work for a small organisation will need to be reconsidered. Our environmental footprint will change, our influence over suppliers and customers may increase, and our responsibilities as an employer will evolve.</div><div><br/></div><div>That's why we'd rather think about responsible business as an ongoing process than a destination.</div><div><br/></div><div>B Corp itself appears to recognise this. Its standards have evolved significantly, including the recent move towards mandatory requirements across multiple impact areas. Standards have to change because our understanding of responsible business changes too.</div><div><br/></div><div>Our own approach should be no different.</div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_V6hkwuh3nw1WOxKpq0Nokw" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_V6hkwuh3nw1WOxKpq0Nokw"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_V6hkwuh3nw1WOxKpq0Nokw"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_uPK89eItJ9qsL1q9_j6kSA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_FAV6_QiY0GK8y98JA7u0Ug" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_p5q_GoIAsW7GHs-6QGhxYg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-center zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span><span><span><span><span>Principles before badges</span><br/></span></span></span></span><span><span></span></span></span></div></div></h4></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_GspSc1BDSOMhYFcbvXkOxQ" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_QGm8K3snc-856ykusU57kA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div></div><div><div style="text-align:left;"><div><div></div></div><div><div>We're not ruling out B Corp forever. If certification becomes genuinely valuable to Ostratto, our customers or our team in the future, we'll look at it again.</div><div><br/></div><div>For now, though, we'd rather concentrate on the underlying principles.</div><div><br/></div><div>That means making sensible technology recommendations, reducing unnecessary waste, extending the useful life of equipment, choosing responsible partners, operating efficiently and building long-term relationships where our success depends on creating good outcomes for our customers.</div><div><br/></div><div>We'll continue looking at frameworks such as B Corp for ideas, challenging the way we operate and being transparent about the things we're doing as well as the areas where we could improve.</div><div><br/></div><div>A certification can provide useful evidence that a business has met a standard. It shouldn't be the reason a business behaves responsibly in the first place.</div><div><br/></div><div>For us, the more meaningful test is whether we can demonstrate those principles through the decisions we make every day.</div></div></div></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_924oHF8eLH1hApjh5zU6Mg" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_rsFeGvib49B1bHoZKlnCeg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items-flex-start zpjustify-content-flex-start zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="false"><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_D9tVx0kGjefEkpW5QZqk-g" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_hDmjagbyhzh7087gN_QyFA" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer zp-hidden-md "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_hDmjagbyhzh7087gN_QyFA"] div.zpspacer { height:30px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_hDmjagbyhzh7087gN_QyFA"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(30px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="30"></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_rqI20yfUVrX-8h2qHbkCRA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zprow-equalCol zpcol-justify-content-flex-start zpjustify-content-center zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg " data-equal-column="true"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_rqI20yfUVrX-8h2qHbkCRA"].zprow{ border-radius:1px; margin-block-start:20px; margin-block-end:20px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_wLxMmVNUeBZX7fWKaHmifg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-4 zpcol-sm-4 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_wLxMmVNUeBZX7fWKaHmifg"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_3ae1CBkP3xtff2PgbpeFwQ" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zsborder-box zplight-section zplight-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_3ae1CBkP3xtff2PgbpeFwQ"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_7WoLQQt7MSWgqFln992mvQ" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><b>Contact</b></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_q-0ViYxbYtugudA7zPEAsA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><div><span style="color:inherit;"></span></div><span></span><span></span><span>Get in touch with the team to discuss how we support your business with practical, people-first technology and long-term solutions.</span><div><span style="color:inherit;"><br/></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_ikLL8_QtT8JME8gH638BUA" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style></style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-left zpbutton-align-mobile-left zpbutton-align-tablet-left"><style type="text/css"></style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md zpbutton-style-oval zpbutton-outline " href="/contact" title="Link to Contact page" title="Link to Contact page"><span class="zpbutton-content">Contact us</span></a></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_JH47F9_jD3Z2d7qD5Fulig" data-element-type="spacer" class="zpelement zpelem-spacer "><style> div[data-element-id="elm_JH47F9_jD3Z2d7qD5Fulig"] div.zpspacer { height:3px; } @media (max-width: 768px) { div[data-element-id="elm_JH47F9_jD3Z2d7qD5Fulig"] div.zpspacer { height:calc(3px / 3); } } </style><div class="zpspacer " data-height="3"></div>
</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_6FnYoD5dWl2xoufuY4jzSA" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-4 zpcol-sm-4 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_aImcwg5MEnGS8-6Dfyswfg" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zsborder-box zplight-section zplight-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_aImcwg5MEnGS8-6Dfyswfg"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_pr9x7C5O6CPdgCqyQSTdGw" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><b>About</b></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_5Wz821ffgqDYfbaEfY1NNw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><div><span style="color:inherit;"></span></div><span>Learn who we are, what we stand for, and how Ostratto helps businesses make their work, less work through practical technology solutions.</span><div><span style="color:inherit;"><br/></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_jtCe-HhOQWpyzzU6vqmziQ" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style></style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-left zpbutton-align-mobile-left zpbutton-align-tablet-left"><style type="text/css"></style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md zpbutton-style-oval zpbutton-outline " href="/about" title="Link to About page" title="Link to About page"><span class="zpbutton-content">Learn More</span></a></div>
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</div></div></div><div data-element-id="elm_6IaSIo-6egkfvcoZGgf8mw" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-4 zpcol-sm-4 zpalign-self- zpdefault-section zpdefault-section-bg "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_gD7FCRwzVSa04g80tjwpYA" data-element-type="box" class="zpelem-box zpelement zpbox-container zsborder-box zplight-section zplight-section-bg " data-animation-name="fadeIn" data-animation-duration="1s"><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_gD7FCRwzVSa04g80tjwpYA"].zpelem-box{ border-radius:10px; padding:30px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_1hMFlitwptT66D4kfnNCVg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h4
 class="zpheading zpheading-style-none zpheading-align-left zpheading-align-mobile-left zpheading-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><b><span>Our Approach<br/></span></b></h4></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_fiWYllOY-r0KV9sqyx6_2Q" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><div style="color:inherit;"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><div><div style="color:inherit;"><div><span style="color:inherit;"></span></div><span>Discover how we partner with you - focusing on strategy, simplicity and long-term value to deliver technology that truly supports your business.</span><div><span style="color:inherit;"><br/></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_RZYy8K3nXN_sCkXdWU_JWg" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style></style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-left zpbutton-align-mobile-left zpbutton-align-tablet-left"><style type="text/css"></style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md zpbutton-style-oval zpbutton-outline " href="/about/approach" title="Link to Approach page" title="Link to Approach page"><span class="zpbutton-content">Learn More</span></a></div>
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</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:35:53 +0000</pubDate></item></channel></rss>