We are all undoubtedly aware of how swift and vast the development of artificial intelligence tools has become – with the use of AI growing significantly over the past 12 months, and set to only expand further in future. So how are we preparing for this? What are some of the potential opportunities and challenges associated with the use of AI within an education context? Our masterclass delves into this and offers perspectives from three different viewpoints – the national context and developments in this space; trust level considerations and examples of where AI is being utilised and considered strategically; and, through the learners perspective – how might some of the developments around AI impact on learning and therefore teaching.

For this masterclass we will be joined by three guest speakers, each offering a different viewpoint. Firstly we will be joined by Niel McClean, Head of Education at the British Computing Society (Chartered Institute for IT)  who will help to set the national context around the use of AI, including any national level developments we are likely to see in future. Niel started his career as a teacher and local authority adviser developing the use of technology in the classroom, leading in the early 1990s, the development of the first National Curriculum and qualifications for IT and Computing. As an executive director at the government’s technology agency, he has created support services for schools and teachers and led the scheme providing technology to 250 000 low-income families.  He has worked in senior roles in the private and charity sectors before joining BCS so brings a range of cross sector experience to the session. We will also be joined by Emma Darcy, Director of Technology for Learning at Chiltern Learning Trust who be exploring the impact, potential and possible challenges of AI in a trust context. Emma leads on key aspects of the development and delivery of Chiltern’s digital and technology strategy, supporting teachers with their use of technology across the curriculum to enhance learning and raise attainment, developing and delivering Technology for Learning strategies to maximize the use of existing hardware and software and help schools plan for the future, and the delivery of technology-based enhancement and enrichment activities for pupils. Finally, we will be joined by Kim Dundas, Science Officer at Open Science Tools, as a former teacher Kim has always been fascinated with the way in which children and young people learn. Undertaking a PhD in neuroscience and then going on to work for Open Science Tools, Kim will look at the impact of AI tools on the brain and outline some of the tools they are seeing come to the market that may further help to support learning in future as well as exploring the potential form a workload management perspective.

The session will delve, in-depth, into the issues and opportunities facing education in relation to AI, allowing as always, plenty of time for dialogue and discussion with you as trust leaders as you share and discuss your own ideas and challenges in utilising AI across your trust.

Please note you must be an active member of one of Forum Strategy’s three national networks to attend. To book your place on this session, please use the form below.

Booking Form