In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn Taylor speaks with Martyn Collins, Festival Director of the rapidly growing Brilliant Festival, about the future of education, EdTech, AI, and industry collaboration.

Together, they explore why schools, educators, technology providers, and employers must work more closely to prepare young people for the future world of work — and why traditional education conferences and EdTech events are no longer enough.

Martyn shares the vision behind Brilliant Festival, why Liverpool and the North West are central to that vision, and how Brilliant is creating a unique space where education, industry, and technology genuinely connect.

The conversation also dives into:

A practical, thought-provoking, and inspiring conversation about building meaningful connections between schools, industry, and innovation.

📍 Exhibition Centre Liverpool

In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn Taylor is joined by Andy Miah — Chair in Science Communication and Future Media at University of Salford — for a wide-ranging conversation exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on sport, media, education, trust, and the future of learning.

As the world prepares for a major summer of global sport, Andy explains how AI is already reshaping sports broadcasting, audience engagement, and digital media experiences. From AI-generated content and automated highlights to drone footage controversies and viral misinformation, the discussion examines how technology is changing the way people consume and interact with sport.

The conversation then turns to AI-generated influencers, authenticity, and the growing challenge of determining what can be trusted online. Drawing on his recent work investigating AI fitness influencers for the BBC, Andy explores why media literacy and AI literacy are rapidly becoming essential skills for modern life.

Together, Dawn and Andy discuss:

A major focus of the episode is vibe coding — using natural language prompts to create software and digital tools without traditional programming expertise. Andy explains how AI-powered development platforms are democratising creation and enabling entirely new opportunities for non-technical innovators.

The episode also explores Dawn's work on AI meta-literacy, including how schools can develop a shared language between learners and AI systems that supports understanding, strengthens learner agency, and keeps human thinking at the centre of the learning process.

This is a thought-provoking discussion about the opportunities, tensions, and responsibilities emerging as AI becomes embedded in everyday life.

Listen if you're interested in AI, education, sport, media, innovation, digital culture, and what it means to remain human in an increasingly AI-mediated world.

In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn is joined by Victoria Hedlund, also known as The AI Bias Girl, for a powerful conversation about bias, fairness and the growing role of generative AI in education.

Victoria shares how her background in physics, teaching, research and STEM education led her to investigate how AI systems respond differently to learners based on gender and other assumptions. Together, Dawn and Victoria explore why AI bias is not just a technical issue, but a pedagogical, ethical and safeguarding concern for schools.

The conversation examines what happens when AI tools begin to act like tutors, how personalised outputs may reinforce stereotypes, and why children’s self-concept, confidence and future aspirations could be shaped by the answers AI gives them.

Together, they explore:

This episode is an important and timely discussion about what schools, teachers, EdTech companies and policymakers need to consider before AI becomes deeply embedded in teaching and learning.

The Future of EdTech: AI, Innovation and Literacy

Guests: Shaun Langevin, Renee Langevin & Michael Berry (Hosts of the ExplAInED Podcast)

In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn Taylor is joined by the hosts of the Explained podcast: Shaun Langevin, Renee Langevin, and Michael Berry. Together, they explore the evolving relationship between AI, EdTech, digital literacy, curriculum design, and the future of learning.

The conversation dives into the realities schools are facing as AI rapidly reshapes teaching and learning. From concerns about screen time and AI literacy to the importance of bias, reliability, and responsible implementation, this episode offers a thoughtful and honest discussion about what educators need to understand now.

The team also shares insights into:

Key Discussion Themes

EdTech vs Screen Time

The group discusses growing concerns in parts of the United States around educational technology and increasing attempts to limit student screen time. The conversation highlights the danger of conflating passive screen consumption with purposeful educational technology use.

AI Literacy and Curriculum

The discussion explores the challenge schools face in developing meaningful AI literacy approaches while educators themselves are still learning alongside students.

Responsible AI Use

The episode examines:

Practical AI Integration

The guests share low-friction ways educators can begin engaging with AI safely and meaningfully, including:

AI is changing how knowledge is accessed, shaped, and trusted—but it isn’t neutral.

In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn speaks with Laura Knight—former teacher, strategist, and advisor—about the growing influence of algorithms on learning, behaviour, and decision-making.

They explore what sits beneath the surface of AI systems, why they don’t “find truth,” and how attention, data, and engagement are shaping the digital environments young people are growing up in.

This conversation moves beyond hype and fear to focus on what actually matters:

From social media to generative AI, this episode challenges the idea that technology is simply a tool—and argues that without deliberate teaching, it can quietly shape thinking in ways we don’t always see.

Guest

Laura Knight is a former teacher with over 20 years’ experience in UK education. She now works across schools, universities, governments, and EdTech organisations as a strategist, speaker, and advisor, focusing on the effective and ethical use of AI and digital technology.

In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn speaks with Al Kingsley MBE about AI, education, assessment, digital strategy, and the future of learning.

Together, they explore why AI should not be seen as a shortcut or threat, but as part of a wider conversation about curriculum, assessment, equity, skills, and human connection.

Al shares his perspective on government policy, exam reform, digital access, neurodiversity, data, bias, and the importance of co-production in shaping the future of education.

This conversation is about moving beyond hype and fear, and focusing instead on how AI can support learning, strengthen agency, and help education adapt to a changing world.

Key themes include:

What does it actually mean to be “AI literate”—and are we teaching the right things?

In this first episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn Taylor is joined by Ben Garside, Senior Learning Manager for AI Literacy at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, to explore one of the most urgent questions in education today.

Together, they unpack:

Ben shares insights from the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s Experience AI programme, now reaching over 2.3 million students worldwide, and discusses how research, pedagogy, and real classroom practice are being brought together to build meaningful AI education.

This episode goes beyond tools and into thinking—exploring how we prepare students not just to use AI, but to understand it, question it, and engage with it critically.

Key themes:

Music Credit:

Music: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music

Beyond the Algorithm is a podcast made by humans, for humans.

In this series, we speak with educators, school leaders, edtech teams, and others working with AI day to day — to understand what’s really happening in education.

We explore how AI is showing up in classrooms, leadership, systems, and assessment, how it’s evolving, and what that means for teaching and learning now and in the future.

This podcast isn’t about hype, fear, or pushing an agenda.

Each episode is designed to help you make sense of the changes happening around AI — and to think more carefully about what comes next for education, for learners, and for the people at the heart of it all.

Join us as we go beyond the algorithm.