Energy. Inspiration. Connection. Possibility.
Thanks to Google and Google.org’s generous support, a week ago we brought together 250 young people and industry leaders to talk about The Future of Work – specifically The AI Opportunity. The room was alive with questions, insights, and aha! moments.
Couldn’t join us? Here are the takeaways you need.
What we set out to do
Our mission was clear: transform the career and life chances of state school educated young people by creating pathways to career success through direct access to industry leaders and building their understanding of the skills needed for emerging AI opportunities.
For students, we wanted to help them understand the evolving opportunities that AI presents across career paths, recognise how traditional roles are being transformed by new technology, and build direct connections with industry professionals.
For industry delegates, the event provided insights into developing talent pipelines for AI-influenced roles and strategies to ensure young people develop the right skills for future industry needs.
We found an EQ blind spot!
We discovered a disconnect between what employers want and what young people think employers want.
With 250 people in the room, we asked everyone what skills employers are looking for right now. The results were revealing:
– 23% of employers rated Emotional Intelligence (EQ) as one of the top three skills they are seeking.
– Only 10% of young people identified it as a skill they think employers want.
As Ashley Ramrachia, from Academy, shared during his keynote, we’re entering the ‘age of the heart’ – a moment where human skills aren’t just complementary, but fundamental. Technology amplifies our capabilities, but emotional intelligence determines how effectively we use them.
The skills that matter most
Benjamin Grol from LocalGlobe offered remarkable clarity. The AI revolution demands three distinctly human skills:
– Emotional intelligence — understanding nuances that technology cannot
– Critical thinking — evaluating information thoughtfully, not passively
– Clarity of communication — conveying ideas effectively
What young people discovered
The insight was powerful: Every future career will either be IN or WITH AI.
As Timo Armoo memorably put it: “Don’t go with the flow—only dead fish do.” Students realised their future success isn’t defined solely by qualifications—but by continuous learning and adaptability. Perhaps most significantly, many recognised that asking questions isn’t a weakness—it’s an essential tool for growth.
What businesses learned
Our industry partners gained valuable perspectives too:
– Young people bring fresh understanding of AI that can accelerate innovation
– Developing talent internally creates stronger, more adaptable teams
– Diverse perspectives drive creativity and better problem-solving
– Personalised development yields better results than standardised approaches
The power of mentorship
The London AI Campus showcase demonstrated how mentorship creates lasting change. Students Amyrah and AJ shared the stage with experienced professionals, showing how guided support builds confidence that traditional education alone cannot provide.
Industry mentors and educators from Camden Learning shared how structured programmes can bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, especially in rapidly evolving fields like AI.
Thank you to our speakers
Special thanks to Safa Abbas and Sylva Hingston-Williams for hosting the day, and to Kaleb for sharing his personal journey. We’re grateful to our panels and keynote speakers who made complex topics accessible and inspiring:
– The New Technology: New Skills: New Opportunities panel, led by Manish Madhvani at GP Bullhound (Sabrina Rodriguez, Puli Liyanagama, Abigail Thompson and Nijma Khan).
– Benjamin Grol and Ashley Ramrachia whose AI keynotes talked us through the nuances of In and With AI.
– The London AI Campus speakers, led by Zoe Stern (Danielle Tobin, Amelia Michael and students Amyrah and AJ).
– Our Potential Economy panel, led by Liza Ateh (Sue Maskrey, Sagina Shabaya, Phoebe Garfinkel and Sharee Campbell).
– Timo Armoo, whose entrepreneurial journey had everyone literally jumping out of their seats
Partner with us for your organisation
Want to see the real impact these days have on young people’s confidence and aspirations? Watch our short highlight video here.
Make a genuine difference in young people’s lives and future opportunitie by bringing this experience to your organisation. Email our Chief Executive, Sue Maskrey, to discuss how we can work together to develop future talent while creating meaningful social impact.
