PhD Researcher at the University of Hertfordshire investigating the Generative AI Adaptation Paradox. Head of AI Strategy at Thrivology Digital, helping UK small businesses adopt AI assessment-first.
Bear McBlack is a PhD Researcher at the Hertfordshire Business School, University of Hertfordshire, investigating the Generative AI Adaptation Paradox — the gap between rapid AI capability and the failure of most organisations to translate that capability into productivity gains. His research develops the ALeM Framework (Adaptive Leverage Model), a diagnostic methodology for identifying where AI creates genuine business value in small and medium-sized enterprises. The work draws on sociotechnical systems theory and technology adoption literature, with a focus on UK service teams of 5–50 people. Alongside the doctoral research, Bear is Head of AI Strategy at Thrivology Digital, a UK-based AI consulting firm that takes an assessment-first, business-led approach to AI adoption. The firm h...