A Tees educational trust is inviting other education leaders across the region to share their views at a landmark event, focusing on the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI).
The first Tees Digital Exchange takes place at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Friday, hosted by Atomix Educational Trust, which runs Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough and Stockton Sixth Form College, as well as Errington Primary School in Marske.
The trust’s partnership with the Institute of AI Education champions evidence-informed practice and aims to build leadership capacity, so the region can be part of a “digital hub of excellence” when it comes to using AI safely and ethically and can benefit from digital innovation.
Dr Nichole Munro, CEO of Atomix, will ask speaker Les Watson CBE, who has seen education from his perspectives as a teacher, headteacher, director of education and national adviser, to explore what it means to build a collaborative and cohesive education system.
Les also founded Schools North East and leads the Association of Education Advisers, who are also supporting the event.
Dr Nichole says: “There is a real opportunity for the Tees Valley to lead the way in how education responds to AI and digital innovation, but none of us can do that in isolation.
“We want to bring education, research, industry and our wider partners together to learn from each other, ask some difficult questions and explore how technology can be used safely, responsibly and effectively.
“For me, the Tees Digital Exchange is about starting that conversation and building something together that has a lasting impact for our region and, most importantly, for our young people.”
Dr Noel Dennis, director of community and partnerships at Atomix, will host a panel discussion, exploring why the Institute of AI Education was founded, and why partnership and collaboration is central to its model.
The panel will also hear from Al Kingsley MBE, about what leaders and governing boards in education should be asking from a governance perspective, before deciding on which AI tools to use.
Narinder Gill will explore why conversations about AI use need to start in early years and Primary education.
Finally, Dr Beth Lane will encourage the audience to look at evidence, practitioner research, responsible experimentation, what we do not yet know and why children and educators need to be visible within research.
Dr Dennis said: “This event will help us to explore the collaboration and partnerships that are needed if the Tees Valley is to become known for approaching AI well.
“I hope this will mark the start of those partnerships forming, as it is our belief that we cannot address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in education in isolation.
“During the second half of the event, we will be asking audience members to contribute, helping us to shape what the Tees Digital Skills Exchange has the potential to become, and identifying what we should be looking to achieve collectively across the Tees Valley.”
The event, at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, runs from 9am to 3.15pm on Friday October 9, with refreshments and networking from 8.30am.
Attendance is free but places are limited.
To attend the event, bringing together education, research, industry and civic partners to connect educational excellence with digital innovation, email sarah.king@atomix.ac.uk.