How to Build AI Capability Without Chasing Every New Model — Patrick McQuaid, NGM Group

Most organisations are asking which AI model they should use. Patrick McQuaid thinks that is the wrong conversation.

Patrick is Group Head of Data, Analytics & AI at NGM Group. He joins James MacDonald to explain how leaders can build practical AI capability without getting trapped by hype, vendor lock-in or an endless cycle of new tools.

They get into how NGM approaches AI inside a regulated banking environment, where privacy, risk and customer trust make it impossible to turn a weekend prototype straight into production. Patrick explains why teams need both strong foundations and useful short-term wins, why the people closest to the work should own their technology costs, and where generative AI should not be used for decision-making.

The conversation also explores what AI means for technical careers: why Patrick hires for attitude, curiosity and problem-solving over years of experience in technology that has only just emerged, the continuing value of junior engineers, the rise of AI enablement and orchestration roles, and the human skills that stay hard to automate.

About the guest

Patrick McQuaid GAICD is Group Head of Data, Analytics & AI at NGM Group, one of Australia's largest customer-owned banking groups, operating the Greater Bank and Newcastle Permanent brands.

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