Is having an AI policy enough to protect your school? In this episode, Daniel Emmerson speaks with Claire Archibald, Legal Director at Brown Jacobson and former Data Protection Officer, about what effective AI governance in schools looks like.

Their conversation covers essential topics including what makes a good Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), the importance of vendor due diligence, and why schools need robust governance structures beyond just having an AI policy. Claire emphasises the critical role of incident reporting, creating transparent cultures around AI use, and the need for collaborative approaches involving all stakeholders. She also shares a six-step governance framework and practical advice for schools starting their AI journey.

Daniel's conversation with Gemma Gwilliam, Portsmouth's Head of Digital Learning, Education and Innovation, explores transparency, privacy and safeguarding in AI education. The discussion takes a dramatic turn when Gemma puts on a pair of AI-enabled glasses which she purchased easily for under £10 right in the middle of the recording, bringing theoretical concerns into stark reality. This jaw-dropping demonstration underscores the urgent challenges teachers face as sophisticated AI wearables become increasingly accessible to students.

While we may debate whether AI belongs in classrooms, we cannot ignore the significant risks these technologies present to young people. This episode reveals how Portsmouth supports its schools and teachers in approaching AI responsibly to strike a balance between innovation and essential safeguarding measures.

What skills will our students genuinely need to thrive in a future driven by AI? To find the answer, Daniel Emmerson goes straight to the source and sits down with brilliant young minds behind seven teams from the Hult Prize Global Accelerator, one of the final stages of the world’s largest student startup competition.

This episode takes you on a global tour of innovation. You'll hear how these young entrepreneurs are using AI to tackle large problems, like enhancing public safety by turning CCTV cameras into proactive witnesses, helping firefighters respond faster, pioneering sustainability by transforming agricultural waste into valuable resources, and creating a "calorie counter" for your carbon footprint. The conversations also cover how AI is being used to deliver personalised education in Ethiopia and provide gentle, effective speech therapy for children.

Although these startups focus on very different issues, they all agree that the future isn’t about AI replacing people, but being empowered by it. Tune in to find out the essential skills our future generation will need.