TO BE PUBLISHED September 2025
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This conference will consider next steps for skills in an era of AI, including implications for policy, learning, training, and the labour market.
Policy developments and opportunities for the education sector
It will bring together key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss what will be needed for education and skills policy - and within schools, FE, and HEIs - to adapt effectively to the rising use of AI. It will be an opportunity to examine the Government’s ambitions for all schools and colleges to meet core digital standards by 2030 to support AI-enabled innovation and ensure equitable access.
The agenda will also examine opportunities for the education sector as policymakers seek support for wider UK national goals of fostering economic resilience, closing digital skills gaps, and positioning the country as a global leader in AI development and deployment.
The conference follows the recent announcement by the Prime Minister of a national skills drive aimed at unlocking opportunities for young people in tech. It also comes with the recent publication of the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan as part of the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, which outlines plans for creating strong AI talent pipelines.
The Industrial Strategy, TechFirst and policy coordination
The agenda looks at priorities for TechFirst, the new £187m programme announced in the Government’s recently published Industrial Strategy: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan, which aims to bring digital skills and enhanced AI learning into the classroom, and improve training for future tech careers.
Delegates will consider how Tech First - and its associated initiatives TechYouth, TechGrad, TechLocal, and TechExpert - should approach their mission of improving learning pathways and access to careers in digital sectors. Areas for discussion include addressing issues around the level of funding, teacher training and support needs, and achieving equitable access.
Coordination with wider reform will be discussed, including the AI Opportunities Action Plan, Ofsted’s independent review into AI use in schools and colleges, and priorities for growing the role of Skills England in aligning post-16 provision with employer demand and local labour market needs.
Curriculum, staff readiness, teacher training, and ethics
Sessions will examine implications of AI for curriculum design, qualifications, and pedagogy, including how ethical, technical, and applied AI literacy can be embedded across all phases of education. Attendees will discuss priorities for teacher training and professional development, including clearer guidance on implementation, safeguarding, data governance, and the inclusion of assistive technology training to better support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
We also expect discussion on the role of the EdTech Evidence Board, delivered by the Chartered College of Teaching, in supporting evidence-informed use of digital tools, and how professional development and infrastructure investment can be better aligned to effectively embed digital technologies. Wider ethical and social implications will be considered, including promoting responsible AI use and equipping learners with critical thinking and digital literacy needed for the future labour market.
Qualifications and adaptability
Delegates will consider priorities for evolution of the qualifications and skills system to remain agile, inclusive and fit for purpose. We expect discussion on the development of modular learning pathways, new AI-focused qualifications, what is needed for short-course provision moving forwards, and the role of micro-credentials. There will also be consideration of funding and delivery mechanisms, the use of the Growth and Skills Levy, and investment in short-course provision to ensure flexibility, accessibility and quality.
Further sessions examine local and regional coordination, including priorities for Local Skills Improvement Plans and local authorities, and how to strengthen partnerships between education providers, employers, and government to address sector-specific needs, promote upskilling, and support transitions in the labour market.
Infrastructure, inclusion, and equitable participation
Sessions will examine priorities for strengthening digital infrastructure and improving access to digital learning, including recent investment of £25m in wireless network upgrades and £20m in fibre improvements to support schools in areas with limited connectivity. Delegates will assess progress of initiatives such as the Connect the Classroom programme and Digital Inclusion Action Plan, and consider what further steps may be needed to ensure schools and colleges are equipped to deliver AI-enabled learning, and meet core digital standards by 2030.
Discussion will also explore strategies to reduce regional disparities and improve participation among underrepresented groups, including distribution and use of £8.2m in new funding to expand advanced maths provision for girls and disadvantaged learners, and £45m to enhance digital infrastructure. Attendees will consider whether these and other measures sufficiently align with the Industrial Strategy: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan, and support broader ambitions to build AI talent pipelines, expand graduate-level provision, and embed digital skills across lifelong learning. The conference will assess whether current initiatives are adequately supporting long-term goals for equity, social mobility, and inclusive growth in the AI sector.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include officials from DfE; DESNZ; DoE, NI; MHCLG; DSIT; DBT; DHSC; Department for the Economy, NI; IfATE; Skills England; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
