Bourne Education Trust hosts pioneering AI in Education conference: "It's Time to Cut Through the AI Noise"

Following the launch of AI in Education, today saw leaders, educators, and policymakers come together to explore what is on the near horizon and the transformative potential of AI in shaping the future of education.

Setting the stage for an engaging series of discussions and presentations, Baroness Barran, Minister for the School System and AI, opened the conference, emphasising the government's commitment to leveraging AI for the betterment of the education sector.

Morning keynotes saw Sherry Coutu CBE, delve into the ethical dimensions of scaling AI in education and its power to drive economic growth, and Neil Lawrence explore the intersection of machine and human learning, offering a unique perspective on the symbiotic relationship between technology and education.

After a break, Tom Nixon discussed practical opportunities and future predictions in AI adoption across the UK education system, followed by Dan Sandhu questioning whether we should trust AI in education, sparking important conversations about the role of technology in the classroom.

The post-lunch session featured TEDx-style talks from the Practitioners Panel, offering practical insights into AI adoption with speakers including Laura Knight from Berkhamsted School, Julian O’Loughlin from Wellington College, Cheryl Shirley from LEO Academy Trust, Lauren Thorpe from United Learning and David Weston, Co-CEO of the Teacher Development Trust.

The concluding segment of the day was marked by a thoughtful closing address delivered by Sir Anthony Seldon, highlighting the key takeaways from the day's discussions and crucial importance of sustained partnerships in the seamless integration of AI in education. Resonating with the overarching theme of the conference, Sir Anthony called for a collective effort to carry the spirit of collaboration forward, ensuring that the positive momentum generated during the conference would translate into tangible advancements in the field of AI in education.

Reflecting on the day, Alex Russell, CEO of Bourne Education Trust, expressed optimism about the impact of the conference, stating, "Today's discussions have further set the stage to successfully integrate AI in education. We are excited about the possibilities and look forward to the continued associations that will shape the future of learning."

In collaboration with Epsom College, as part of the cross-sector initiative, AI in Education, today’s event aimed to provide insights into the practical applications of AI in the classroom, ‘cutting through the AI noise’ and helping school leaders begin their AI planning journey - a crucial catalyst for positive change. For further information about the conference and resources for educators please visit www.AI-in-education.co.uk.