Digital and AI transformation consultancy Daemon today announced the launch of its pioneering AI-First Squad, a specialist team set to challenge and transform the software development lifecycle. This initiative goes beyond integrating AI tools by introducing an evolution in how technology solutions are conceived, built, and deployed, aiming to deliver efficiencies and significant value for clients. 

The AI-First Squad addresses the common challenge businesses face: moving beyond incremental gains and navigating AI-related hype. Daemon’s new offering establishes a dedicated expert team combining industry-leading digital engineering practices with generative AI (GenAI) tooling and experimental methodologies. The squad will implement proven “AI-first” engineering practices and refine established frameworks to enhance software delivery. 

“We’re at a pivotal moment in AI engineering—businesses know there’s value in these tools, yet they often achieve only incremental improvements that get diluted across the delivery cycle,” said Kyle Hauptfleisch, Chief Growth Officer at Daemon. “This is compounded by the unprecedented uncertainty about what value is real and what is conjecture. Daemon is tackling that head on to ensure that we truly understand what is real and what is not so we can help our clients navigate this space and unlock real value, not vague promises.” 

Unlike teams that simply apply AI to existing processes, Daemon’s AI-First Squad embraces a “fail fast, learn fast” approach, using cutting-edge AI tools to rapidly experiment and develop new methodologies. The squad will undertake client projects, directly addressing challenges that typically require months, accelerating delivery timelines through established AI-first methods. The squad’s AI-first approach is designed to deliver efficiency gains while maintaining high-quality standards. 

The squad’s responsibilities extend beyond code generation, covering the entire Software Delivery Lifecycle, including AI-assisted scheduling, knowledge management, estimation, and prioritisation. Services will include AI transformation strategy, the implementation of AI-first methodologies, and full project delivery by AI-First engineers. Validated insights, detailed case studies, and actionable tooling recommendations will be shared across Daemon and with clients, driving widespread adoption of effective AI practices. 

This initiative addresses the increasing pressure organisations face to innovate quickly and deliver results. Statistics from the ONS highlight substantial barriers to AI adoption, such as identifying use cases (39%) and the cost of implementation (21%). Daemon’s AI-First Squad simplifies AI adoption through practical, proven guidance and expert insight. 

Hauptfleisch continued: “There is so much out there about what organisations should be doing with AI, but very little practical guidance for how to put that into practice. With our AI-First Squad, we only use AI-first approaches, so clients get qualified expertise that enables them and their teams to deliver more with less.” 

Leveraging Daemon’s extensive experience with blue-chip enterprises and agile startups, the AI-First Squad delivers predictable outcomes, empowering clients to harness GenAI for quicker value realisation and more efficient resource use.