A pioneering schools symposium brought together students and experts to explore the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on society and business.
The inaugural event, developed in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire and led by Senior Lecturer Dr. Robert Whitehouse, took place at Malvern College. It brought together 40 Lower Sixth pupils from four schools: Malvern College, Malvern St James, Chosen Hill, and Sir Thomas Rich’s, spanning Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, from both the independent and state sectors.
Dr Whitehouse, the event organiser, spoke about the importance of introducing young people to discussions about AI. “Launching a symposium like this with young people is incredibly exciting,” he said. “They are, after all, the future. As they approach life beyond school, with many heading to university, a strong grasp of AI will be hugely beneficial to their careers and their understanding of the world around them.”
The event, which took place on March 27th, commenced with a welcome address from Dr Will Sayers, Associate Head of the School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences at the University of Gloucestershire. Dr Sayers provided an insightful exploration of the challenges AI poses to society, particularly its profound impact on businesses. A highlight of the day was the keynote speech from Professor Hassan Chizari, a global leader in Cyber Security from the University of Gloucestershire, who captivated the audience with his expertise.
The academic discussions also featured contributions from industry professionals, including representatives from Cynam: Cyber Cheltenham, and guest speaker James Luke, Founder & AI Strategist at Doability, an ex-IBM Distinguished Engineer and Master Inventor with over 15 patents. These speakers provided pupils with real-world perspectives on the evolving role of AI in business and society.
Following the morning’s talks, students engaged in a collaborative challenge, working in mixed teams to produce podcasts and vlogs examining AI’s impact on business. This exercise encouraged pupils to think critically about the opportunities and risks associated with AI integration, using insights from the symposium, online research, and their own creativity. The completed podcasts will be shared by the University of Gloucestershire and participating schools, serving as valuable learning resources for others.
Reflecting on the event, one pupil commented: “It was an amazing opportunity to hear from academics and industry professionals who are shaping the future of AI. Working with pupils from other schools made it even more interesting. We all had different perspectives, and it was fascinating to bring our ideas together.”
Malvern College Headmaster, Keith Metcalfe, expressed his pride in hosting the symposium. “We were delighted to welcome students from across Worcestershire and Gloucestershire to engage in this important discussion,” he said.
“AI is transforming the world around us, and I hope all who attended left not only with a deeper understanding of its implications but also with new skills in collaboration, critical thinking, and digital creation.”
As a follow-up to this ground-breaking symposium, pupils have been invited to FuturePark in Cheltenham, part of the University of Gloucestershire, where they will see these academic insights applied in real-world contexts.
This extension of the symposium experience aims to further inspire the next generation as they prepare to navigate an AI-driven future.