Activate Learning welcomed education and industry leaders to Bracknell and Wokingham College on Friday 23 October for the AI Skills Summit 2026: Connected Futures, exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming teaching, learning and the future of work.
Hosted by Activate Learning in partnership with Windsor Forest Colleges Group, the event brought together experts, educators and industry professionals to share insights, practical examples and ideas for embracing AI across education and the workplace.
Exploring the opportunities of AI
The summit opened with Roddy Peters, Group Head of Digital Skills at Windsor Forest Colleges Group, who explored the opportunities and challenges of adopting AI in education.
Rob May, Executive Chairman of Ramsac, encouraged delegates to think of AI as ‘Assistive Intelligence’, highlighting how it can support people in their everyday lives and work.
Throughout the day, attendees took part in a wide range of breakout sessions exploring AI in teaching and learning, student engagement, assessment, digital strategy and responsible adoption.
Activate Learning colleagues also played a key role in the programme, including:
- James Kieft, Teaching and Learning Development Manager, who joined a panel discussion on the skills needed for an AI-driven economy.
- Kim Blanchard, Interim Group Director of Digital Education and AI, and Kiki Clements, Head of Delivery at Activate Business School, who contributed to a discussion on building confidence in AI adoption.
- Matt Clack and Patrick Kelly-Goss, who delivered a session on Activate Digital.
- Kiki Clements and Phillip from Activate Business School, who explored the importance of developing the skills, governance and security needed for responsible AI adoption.
Building skills for the future
The afternoon programme included a keynote address from Peter Swallow MP, Member of Parliament for Bracknell, Crowthorne, Sandhurst and Whitegrove, alongside further sessions on AI literacy, digital learning tools and creating partnerships for AI-enabled change.
Speakers from organisations including Pearson, Salesforce, Jisc, Milton Keynes College and Kahoot! shared practical examples of how AI can enhance learning, improve efficiency and help organisations prepare for the future.
A recurring theme throughout the summit was the importance of balancing technological innovation with the human skills that remain essential, including creativity, communication, critical thinking and ethical judgement.
This closely reflects Activate Learning’s award-winning Learning Philosophy and our commitment to preparing learners with the skills, confidence and motivation to succeed in a changing world.
Thank you to everyone involved
A huge thank you to our speakers, panellists, exhibitors and everyone who helped make the summit such a success.
Special thanks go to our Events team, catering colleagues and Public Services students from Bracknell and Wokingham College, who supported the event as stewards.
The summit provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen partnerships, exchange ideas and explore how we can use AI responsibly and effectively to benefit our learners, colleagues and wider communities.
We look forward to building on these conversations and putting the day’s insights into practice across Activate Learning.