This was the second edition of the annual ‘AI Educational Revolution’ event. This hybrid event is co-organised by UCL Computer Science, GSA (Girls School Association) and Guernsey Ladies’ College. The series was developed as a way of inspiring secondary school girls to explore AI and STEM opportunities and to consider how they can shape their own futures in these rapidly evolving fields.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries across the globe, influencing everything from global politics to creative sectors such as fashion. This year’s event offered students a unique opportunity to learn about the role of AI in shaping the future, with a focus on how AI is revolutionising careers and education.

Keynote Speakers and Topics

Leading experts from UCL, the government, and industry took to the stage to discuss AI’s impact on various sectors. The session covered everything from AI in geopolitics to its creative applications, with a particular emphasis on how these technologies are influencing education, career paths, and social inclusion.

Predicting Our Future: The Role of STEM

Insight on AI and Geopolitics
Ms. Jo Miller, Director of Technology at the UK Civil Service, kicked off the event with a thought-provoking talk about the vital role STEM and AI play in global geopolitics and technological futures.

The Power of Women in AI
Jo highlighted the importance of women and girls in shaping AI’s future. She posed the question, “What do you want the future to say?” and encouraged the audience to engage with AI to influence its direction.

Overcoming Barriers in Tech
Drawing from her own career in tech, Jo shared how her humanities background didn’t hinder her success. She urged students to pursue their ambitions in tech, regardless of their starting point.

AI in Education: Shaping the Future

AI and Career Paths
Daniele Harford-Fox, Principal of Guernsey Ladies’ College, discussed how AI is reshaping both education and the workforce. She highlighted the significant impact AI could have on professions like medicine, where many tasks may be automated.

The Importance of Human Skills in Some Fields
While AI may transform many areas, Daniele pointed out that certain roles, such as nursing, will still require human expertise and care, stressing the importance of these skills in the workforce of the future.

AI in Multisensory Experiences

Engaging the Senses
Prof. Marianna Obrist (Multi-Sensory Devices Lab at UCL Computer Science) introduced the concept of “AI in Multisensory Experiences.” She showcased how AI is enabling new ways to interact with the world through multiple senses, creating richer, more engaging experiences.

Humanising Technology
Her research focuses on incorporating more ‘humaness’ into technology. Prof. Obrist demonstrated how sensory experiences are being used in places like retail outlets and museums, as well as in therapeutic settings, such as using scent to enhance body image perception.

AI in Fashion and Beauty

AI’s Impact on Creative Industries
Prof. Philip Treleaven from UCL discussed how AI technologies, including ChatGPT, are transforming the fashion and beauty sectors. He highlighted the use of AI to create digital influencers, automate processes like dexterous sewing robots, and help brands like Shein to capitalise on trends and produce designs at an unprecedented pace.

AI for Social Inclusion

AI’s Potential for Education
Steve Grix, an expert in GENAIE and CAPTR, concluded the talks by discussing the use of AI for social inclusion. He introduced GENAIE, a generative AI platform designed to personalise education for disadvantaged communities.

AI Bridging Educational Gaps
Steve demonstrated how quickly GENAIE could generate lesson plans, showcasing its potential to bridge educational gaps and offer new learning opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.
 

UCAS Applications and Q&A Session

In addition to the expert talks, students were given guidance on making a UCAS application. The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where students had the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with the speakers. The students’ thoughtful and ethical questions impressed the expert panel, sparking deeper discussions about the future role of AI in shaping both careers and society.

When asked for final thoughts, some of the students concluded the concepts and predictions gave them cause to think, but they wouldn’t let it deter them from their career aspirations. 

As AI continues to revolutionise a broad range of industries, this event provides an invaluable platform for students to engage with the technologies that will shape their futures. It also highlighted the importance of diverse input into the development of AI and the opportunities for young women to drive change in this field.

BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) — Beijing Normal University (BNU) has launched China’s first undergraduate program dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) education, aiming to address a critical shortage of specialized teachers in the field.

The initiative aligns with government directives to boost AI education across primary and secondary schools nationwide, the Science and Technology Daily reported on Wednesday.

In late 2024, the Ministry of Education issued a directive calling for measures to advance AI education in primary and secondary schools.

This year, Beijing’s municipal authorities issued a dedicated AI education plan for 2025-2027, demanding the establishment of regular teaching systems and standardized curricula.

“The shortage of qualified instructors and the lack of specialized training remain major obstacles,” said an official from BNU’s Faculty of Education, adding that the program’s core mission is to train educators equipped with both advanced AI technical skills and strong pedagogical expertise.

“We are leveraging our unique interdisciplinary strengths to cultivate talent that supports the country’s strategic drive toward intelligent education,” the official said.

Unlike purely technical AI degrees, BNU’s AI Education program integrates two essential knowledge streams. The curriculum combines an AI technology module, covering generative AI, machine learning, natural language processing, and educational data mining, with a foundation in education science, including learning theory, psychology, curriculum design and assessment.

The program also plans to introduce practical innovation courses, such as the application of AI technologies in education.

In addition, compulsory courses cover topics such as AI ethics and data security, instilling in students a core philosophy of “technology serving education,” according to BNU.

Beyond theory, the program fosters practical skills through a unique “university-enterprise-school” collaborative training model, which helps immerse students in real-world teaching environments and technical development projects.

Career prospects in the AI education field are broad, with graduates well-prepared to become AI or information technology teachers, driving digital transformation in primary and secondary schools.

The booming educational technology sector also needs their expertise to develop and refine AI-driven learning platforms and courses. Further career paths include academic research, educational management, and shaping AI education policy, according to the BNU’s Faculty of Education.

“AI advancements are reshaping society at unprecedented rates, profoundly altering education,” said Yu Shengquan, executive director of BNU’s Advanced Innovation Center for Future Education.

“Developing ‘digital citizens’ equipped for this new reality is now a central educational imperative,” Yu added.

The center has previously partnered with Chinese tech giant Tencent to develop a comprehensive AI knowledge framework and curriculum spanning elementary, middle and high school levels, according to Yu.  ■

Osborne Clarke is expanding its AI team in a key strategic role: Marc Ohrendorf, a recognised expert in legal tech and artificial intelligence, is joining as Chief of Staff to the AI Management Board. In this position, he will enhance international collaboration on AI within the firm and support the implementation of Osborne Clarke’s global AI strategy.

In his new role, Marc Ohrendorf will provide operational support to the international AI Management Board (AIMB) and work closely with teams across jurisdictions. The Board, led Osborne Clarke partner Gereon Abendroth, oversees the firm’s AI initiatives. As a central link between management, legal professionals, and technology development, Marc will play a pivotal role in executing the firm’s AI strategy and coordinating AI-related efforts across offices.

As a pioneer in the legal sector, Osborne Clarke has long focused on delivering legal services through innovative and technology-driven solutions. To harness the potential of generative AI, the firm established a high-calibre team of AI experts and created the necessary infrastructure at an early stage. Notably, Osborne Clarke was among the first law firms to develop and successfully implement its own AI chatbot to optimise internal workflows – a clear example of its commitment to embedding AI in day-to-day operations.

With over ten years of experience in digital product management, legal tech and the legal market, Marc combines legal expertise with a sound understanding of technology. He is the founder and host of the career podcast ‘Irgendwas mit Recht’, which has been shedding light on personalities and developments in the legal sector since 2018. Previous positions have taken him to Wolters Kluwer Germany (LTO.de) and the IWW Institute, where he was responsible for digital business models and product development in leading roles. He is an honorary director at the Bucerius Center on the Legal Profession, where he works on the interface between law, digitalisation and AI.

“The transformation of legal services through AI is one of the defining challenges of our time – and also a tremendous opportunity for Osborne Clarke. We’re delighted to welcome Marc Ohrendorf, a professional who combines strategic vision, technological know-how, and deep insight into the legal market,” says Gereon Abendroth,  Chair of the international AI Management Board.