Like many businesses, Medialab found itself surrounded by AI tools that promised big results but were hard to apply in practice. AI was already built into many of the platforms they used, but turning that into something genuinely useful day to day was another challenge entirely.

The issue was not access to technology; it was knowing how to use it effectively. Generic AI tools often miss the nuance of client work. Getting the right output meant adding lots of context, repeating instructions, and constantly checking the results. It often felt like more effort than it was worth, with plenty of experimentation but little consistent impact.

That changed when Medialab started working with Capably.

Instead of trying to fit AI into existing workflows, the focus shifted to finding a use case where it could really make a difference. Together, they identified digital auditing as a strong opportunity. From there, they built a tailored solution designed around how Medialab actually works. The goal was not just to automate tasks, but to produce outputs that were useful, relevant, and ready to use.

This hands-on, collaborative approach made AI feel far more practical. It moved from being something experimental to something the team could rely on in their day-to-day work.

The impact was clear almost immediately. Tasks that used to take hours could now be completed in minutes. Saving between one and four hours per audit meant the team could run these processes more often and with less friction. It also freed up time to focus on more valuable work, like shaping long-term strategy, exploring new ideas, and helping clients grow.

“Working with Capably has been fantastic because we’ve been able to build these bespoke AI solutions that really tackle the problem.”
— Tom Howes, Head of Search, Medialab

Just as importantly, the experience gave Medialab a clearer way forward with AI. It showed that real value comes from starting with a specific problem, building with the right context, and working closely with a partner who understands both the technology and the business behind it.