“The children asked so many interesting questions about the environmental effect of AI, the ethical aspect etc. We had some very interesting discussions after the webinar.” Teacher
Aspire To Engineer: A.I. and Me series has given thousands of children across the UK access to world class artificial intelligence engineers. Developed by Big Ideas in partnership with the Royal Commission for the 1851 Exhibition, Aspire to Engineer is a dynamic digital programme inspiring the next generation of innovators, engineers, and problem-solvers.
In December 2024, three online events brought cutting-edge technologies to life for young audiences. These sessions explored how A.I. is transforming industries such as healthcare, tech, and transportation, giving students access to engineers shaping the future.
Aspire’s expert guests had all taken part in the Royal Commission’s events series The Engineers in partnership with BBC World Service. You can listen to the Intelligent Machines addition here.
The series began with Dr. Regina Barzilay, a professor at MIT, who introduced secondary school students to the transformative potential of A.I. in healthcare, particularly in cancer detection and prevention. Dr. Barzilay’s session was not just an academic exploration; it was a hands-on experience where students used A.I. to identify whether someone was wearing glasses, mirroring how A.I. can detect stages of breast cancer. The event demonstrated the real-world impact of A.I. and inspired students to think about how technology can address global health challenges.
Next, Professor David Silver, a principal research scientist at Google DeepMind, captivated upper primary and SEND students with a dive into the world of reinforcement learning and the famous AlphaGo project. His interactive activities and games illustrated how A.I. learns and adapts, making complex decisions that can revolutionize everything from gaming to science.
The final event, led by Jamie Shotton, Chief Scientist at Wayve.ai, introduced students to the world of autonomous vehicles. Through an engaging, creative challenge where students designed a self-driving sleigh for Santa Claus, they explored the technicalities of A.I. and autonomous systems. Jamie’s session not only made A.I. concepts accessible but also encouraged critical thinking about the future of transportation and its societal impact.
“It was a lovely way to bring AI discussions into the classroom. My children were tired from their Christmas party but very much enjoyed designing the sleigh. I was surprised how my children were really focusing on the cons more than the pros.” Teacher
The Aspire to Engineer series reached over 10,000 students, inspiring and empowering young minds to envision a future they can shape.