About Us
WHO WE ARE
Helping leaders make sense of a fast-moving AI world
ai-proof is the AI and business channel from Lighthouse Advisory Partners, a growth strategy firm based in London.
We help CEOs, founders, boards and investors cut through AI noise and focus on what actually matters for growth, competitiveness and risk.
Instead of chasing every new tool or headline, we track how AI is really changing economics, operating models, customer expectations and deal value – and translate that into clear, usable insight for decision‑makers.
Clear analysis
We interrogate claims, not repeat them. We explain what’s real, what’s still experimental, and what’s mostly marketing - so you don’t waste cycles on AI theatre.
Business‑first, not tech‑first
We start from P&L, customers, and competitive dynamics - then work back to where AI fits. That means fewer buzzwords and more impact on margin, growth and resilience.
Independent & vendor‑neutral
We don’t sell AI tools or implementation. ai-proof is an editorial and learning channel. When you need hands‑on strategy or value‑creation work, that happens via Lighthouse, not here.
Our MISSION
Empowering better decisions in an AI‑driven world
AI is forcing leaders to reassess tools, workflows, competitors and expectations - often all at once. Most feel under pressure, short on time, and underserved by the current AI commentary. Our mission is simple: turn the chaotic AI landscape into strategic clarity. We track new models, emerging use cases, regulatory shifts and sector‑specific disruption, then show you what matters, why it matters, and what to do next in plain language.
Educate
We create briefings, explainers and deep dives that raise the AI baseline across your leadership team - without assuming technical depth or dumbing things down.
Engage
We support board and exec conversations with frameworks, questions and options - helping you move from abstract AI talk to concrete choices about investment, risk and growth.
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Clear, independent analysis of what AI actually means for strategy, risk, and value creation - written for leaders, not technologists.
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What We Do
Clear analysis. Practical insight. No hype.
ai-proof provides a curated, deeply informed view of AI designed specifically for decision‑makers.
01
Macro AI shifts
The developments reshaping economies, sectors and business models – and what they mean for your strategy, not just your tech stack.
02
Breakthrough models & tools
New capabilities from foundation models, agents and automation – translated into what they practically unlock for organisations of different sizes.
03
Business impact
How AI changes cost structures, workflows, talent needs and competitive advantage – with examples across mid‑market and smaller businesses, not just Big Tech.
04
Practical adoption & use cases
Real‑world use cases, implementation considerations and operating‑model implications – with an honest view on effort, risk and likely payoff.
05
Trend intelligence & “ignore list”
Signals, scenarios and trend tracking to help you see around corners – plus a clear view on what to ignore so you don’t burn time and budget.
06
For boards & investors
Context and questions for boards, NEDs and investors: how AI changes value‑creation levers, diligence questions, and portfolio or sector theses.
OUR PURPOSE
Helping you understand what’s changing – and what it means for you
The pace of AI innovation is relentless: new tools, new risks, new expectations from customers, employees and investors.
Most leaders don’t have the time to decode every announcement or decide which shifts truly matter for their organisation.
ai-proof exists to bridge that gap. We translate the noise into clear, commercially grounded insight, so you can make decisions with confidence instead of feeling permanently behind.
BehIND AI-PROOF
Les Elby - Founder, ai-proof & Partner, Lighthouse Advisory Partners
Les has spent over 20 years working with CEOs, founders and investors on growth, competitive strategy and value creation – long before AI became the headline.
At Lighthouse, he has advised mid‑market and smaller businesses, as well as investors, on how technology shifts change market structure, customer behaviour and economics.
ai-proof is his way of opening up that thinking: a place to stress‑test perspectives, share practical examples, and help leaders raise the quality of their AI conversations without getting lost in the jargon.
Where we focus
Insights at the intersection of AI, growth and value creation
We sit at the crossroads of strategy, investing and technology. That shapes the questions we ask and the topics we cover.
Competitive and growth strategy in an AI‑shaped market
Operating model, workflow and org design implications
Customer experience, product and service innovation with AI
Pricing, economics and productivity opportunities
Risk, governance and regulatory considerations
Data, infrastructure and capability foundations
