Professional Development in the Age of AI - Event Recap
- Last updated: 17th August, 2026
AI is reshaping how we work, learn, and grow, and professional development is no exception. This focused online event brought together school leaders and PD experts to explore how AI can help reduce workload, support impactful coaching and reflection, and strengthen teacher agency without losing the human touch.
Discover how technology is already enhancing professional learning and what the next steps are for schools and trusts ready to innovate responsibly. Expect inspiring voices, practical insights, and space to connect with peers tackling the same challenges. Watch back for a focused, fast-paced programme designed to spark ideas, challenge assumptions, and offer practical insights into sustainable, high-impact PD in the age of AI.
Watch Full Recording (incl. Q&As)
CTRL ALT DEVELOP AI as a Professional Learning Partner - Laura Knight
Laura Knight’s keynote reframed AI as a thoughtful partner in professional learning rather than a shortcut or replacement for human judgement. She explored how, in a system stretched by time and resource pressures, AI can create much-needed rehearsal and reflection space for teachers, supporting metacognition, personalised development and continuous improvement. At the same time, she emphasised the risks around ethics, data, culture and authorship, arguing for intentional, values-led use that strengthens rather than erodes mentorship and professional identity. Used well, AI can deepen professional vision, connect collective wisdom and positively disrupt outdated PD models, keeping teachers firmly at the centre of their own development.
Scaling Adaptive Expertise - Andy Newell
In this talk, Andy Newell explores what it really takes to scale adaptive expertise across schools and trusts. Drawing on years of work in teacher development, he unpacks the limits of one-off training and compliance-driven models, and argues for professional learning that builds teachers’ situational awareness, judgement, and ability to adapt practice in context. Andy discusses how coaching, video, and structured reflection can support this shift at scale, without losing depth or quality. He also highlights the importance of culture, shared language, and intelligent systems that make effective practice visible and learnable across teams. A thoughtful and practical perspective on moving beyond technique compliance towards sustainable, adaptive professional growth.
The Future of Professional Development in the Age of AI - Panel Discussion
After watching the latest talks from Laura Knight and Andy Newell, six educators from across the country share their perspectives on the most pressing issues and benefits of AI in education.
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