The Future of Business Analysis: Why AI Won't Replace the Human Touch

Kathy Berkidge on three decades of BA expertise, the evolution to Business Agility, and why human insight remains irreplaceable in an AI-powered world

When Kathy Berkidge began her career as an analyst/programmer developing IBM store solutions in the late 1980s, artificial intelligence was science fiction. Today, as an internationally recognised business analysis expert preparing to speak at the world's premier BA conference, she's answering a question she never imagined: Will AI make business analysts obsolete?

Her answer is unequivocal: "The role is never going away. There will always be a need for stakeholder engagement."

A World-Renowned Voice in Business Analysis

With 30 years of IT experience spanning telecommunications, retail, and government sectors, Berkidge has become one of the most respected voices in business analysis globally. As an APMG and ICAgile certified trainer, she's delivered training to major corporations and government departments across Australia and internationally.

Her speaking circuit spans from Washington D.C. to Bangalore to Brussels, but her most notable upcoming engagement is the Building Business Capability Conference in Toronto next April: the flagship conference attracting thousands of attendees from around the world. Being held outside the United States for the first time in its 21-year history, it's particularly significant as Toronto is the birthplace of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), of which MCBI is a proudly accredited provider.

At BBC 2026, Berkidge will deliver a half-day session on her proprietary planning tool for business analysts.

A Long-Standing Partnership with MCBI

Berkidge's partnership with MCBI began in 2016 during the agile boom, including a significant two-year State Government program and bespoke training across organisations of all sizes. Through MCBI, her world-class expertise continues delivering powerful outcomes for Australian organisations navigating digital transformation.

Beyond Agile: The Rise of Business Agility

The real opportunity now, particularly in uncertain economic times, is Business Agility: fundamentally changing how organisations execute objectives in an agile way.

Rather than simply training business analysts or implementing agile in IT departments, organisations are asking bigger questions: How do we create agility across the entire business? Berkidge delivers bespoke MCBI training sessions bringing together diverse roles (from finance to operations to strategy) to work out how each contributes. In some cases, she's trained teams in situ on real projects in real time, creating exceptional engagement and practical application.

This approach opens significant opportunities for organisations of any size seeking to work smarter and respond effectively to change.

AI: The Current Hot Topic, and Why Humans Still Matter

When asked about the hottest topic in business analysis today, Berkidge's response is emphatic: "It's all about AI."

But here's the critical nuance: AI isn't replacing business analysts; it's enhancing them. "The need for BAs will be enhanced by AI," Berkidge explains. "It's a tool. BAs need to learn how to use it effectively to give themselves a head start and optimise their work. If they don't, they will be left behind."

AI can process vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and generate documentation. What it cannot do is replace the uniquely human capabilities at the heart of business analysis. "AI can't replace listening, human engagement, reading between the lines," Berkidge emphasises. "In particular, it can't elicit requirements or information from resistant stakeholders."

The most critical information comes not from what stakeholders say, but from what they don't say: the pause before answering, the tension between departments, the unspoken political dynamics shaping every decision. This is where Berkidge's integration of mindfulness practices becomes particularly relevant. After practising and teaching mindfulness for almost 20 years, she recognised that self-awareness, presence, and emotional intelligence are precisely what separates good analysts from exceptional ones, and what AI cannot replicate.

Why Business Analysis Remains Critical

Berkidge is passionate about articulating why business analysis is "one of the most important tools for project success."

"If not done well, the project will fail," she states plainly. "The BA diagnoses the root cause and digs to get to the bottom of what the actual problem is and what the best fit for a solution is. They are a trusted diagnoser who provides the right remedy."

She contrasts this with a common organisational tendency: "Project Managers tend to rush to the solution without properly diagnosing the problem. The BA thoroughly understands the needs. PMs don't do that."

Even with AI tools at their disposal, someone still needs to ask the right questions, understand the organisational context, navigate stakeholder politics, and ensure that when a solution is implemented, it's fit for purpose and actually meets the needs it was designed to address.

Transform Your BA Capability with MCBI

Kathy Berkidge's three decades of hands-on experience, world-class credentials (APMG and ICAgile certified), international recognition, and unique mindfulness integration represents a rare opportunity for Australian professionals and organisations.

Whether you're new to the BA role or ready to formalise years of experience, her MCBI training delivers practical tools, international best practices, and that crucial mindfulness dimension that transforms good analysts into exceptional ones.

For organisations, the value proposition is equally compelling: standardising BA practices across teams, building Business Agility into your DNA, or preparing your people to leverage AI effectively rather than fear it. These are the strategic capabilities separating organisations that thrive from those that merely survive.

Upcoming Training Opportunity with Kathy Berkidge

MCBI Masterclass - The Importance of Effective Business Analysis
Adelaide: Tuesday, 17 February 2026, Crowne Plaza Mawson Lakes by IHG

When organisations clearly define their needs, they unlock alignment, clarity and measurable value. This full‑day session introduces the fundamentals of business analysis and shows how strong analysis improves decisions, efficiency and project success.

What you'll gain:
• A clear understanding of business analysis
• Practical tools to identify needs and define problems
• Skills to drive better conversations and outcomes
• Confidence to support change across teams and projects

Presented by Kathy Berkidge
A respected facilitator with over 30 years of industry experience, bringing real-world insight and practical guidance.

Spaces are strictly limited. Secure your place here or contact MCBI to discuss:

• Individual training and certification pathways

• Bespoke in‑house programs

• Virtual and in‑person delivery across Australia