The move, which coincides with the firm’s 10th year of operation, signals another step change of its client support services.

Hutcheon Mearns can now work with clients to achieve tangible efficiencies and cost savings through the practical application of AI technologies.

Rock River Research was formed by Keith and Kirsty Copeland as a strategic AI consultancy for executive decision making.  The team have developed a proprietary knowledge management tool that can be rolled out into organisations to rapidly transform operational tasks, understanding and efficiency.

Mr Copeland has joined Hutcheon Mearns to head up the new division. He said: “For many businesses today, AI has to be a central consideration as they look to remain competitive and add value to their operations.

“We’re now working with clients to understand their challenges and the opportunities presented by the application of AI, which can be transformative in terms of everyday business performance. Our aim is to identify, and then implement, the most appropriate AI solutions to help them realise that transformation.”

The Hutcheon Mearns AI division, which also includes other experts from Rock River Research, provides initial consultancy work as well as custom-designed AI software to streamline operations and automate complex processes. It also offers staff training and technology support.

The new division dovetails with Hutcheon Mearns’s existing business intelligence and data automation services, with AI augmenting the ability to provide rapid cleansing, analysis and understanding of large complex data sets.

Claire Clark, managing director at Hutcheon Mearns who oversees the wider intelligence offering, said: “We’re excited to have added a new dimension to our services, focused on the burgeoning world of AI and the profound impact it will have on how organisations deliver so many of their core activities.

“We’ve brought together a highly experienced and innovative team that possesses all the technical attributes required to work with clients – existing and new – to navigate the journey from strategic planning around AI to its successful front-line application.

“One of our priorities since we launched Hutcheon Mearns has been to look ahead, anticipate the needs and challenges of clients in an ever-changing business landscape, and shape our service model accordingly.

“It’s great that we are doing so again in such a critical area, building out our capabilities to support clients as they look to gain maximum value from an investment in AI.”