In this episode of the Digital Edge, Idris Fabiyi is joined by Frank Gartland, the Chief Product & Technology Officer at Skillable, to dismantle the myth of the "Certified Expert."

As AI continues to lower the barrier to entry for content creation, the value of "knowing things" is plummeting. The new premium? Skill Validation. Frank shares his deep expertise in "Challenge-Centric Learning" and explains why virtual labs are the only way to bridge the systemic lag between rapid AI adoption and workforce competence.

What we unpack in this episode:

• The "Goldilocks" Learning Moment: Why 2026 is the year experiential learning finally hits its renaissance.
• Safe Failure: The importance of creating "low-stakes" environments where employees can break things, learn from the fallout, and build the "grit" required for modern tech roles.
• Beyond the Badge: Moving from participation-based certificates to data-driven performance metrics.
• The Role of AI in Labs: How AI is helping lab developers create more complex, real-world scenarios for learners to solve.

"AI can answer a multiple-choice test, but it can't replicate hands-on experience." 

About our Guest: Frank Gartland is a pioneer in hands-on learning and skill validation. At Skillable, he oversees the transformation of traditional training into performance-based experiences, helping global organizations build "AI-Ready" workforces that can actually deliver results.

I'm Idris Fabiyi, Head of Technology and Innovation at BPP University, Estio Training, Firebrand Training & host of the TechSphere podcast. I'm on a mission to demystify complex technology and make it accessible for businesses and learners.

Follow me on LinkedIn: Idris Fabiyi

My Medium.com profile: Read my Articles

Get in Touch: [email protected]

Is AI making legal access too easy? 

Join Idris Fabiyi from BPP's School of Technology and trainee solicitor Daniel Scrace as they dissect the realities of AI in the legal field. As AI moves from "experimentation" to "embedding" within the UK economy, the legal sector finds itself at a crossroads. In this episode,

Daniel shares his experiences, from early AI experimentation to navigating its use in social impact law. Discover how technology is both bridging and widening the justice gap, the surprising need for "poking" at AI, and why soft skills still reign supreme. 

What’s inside this episode:

• The Rise of the AI Auditor: Why Daniel believes the most critical skill for a 2026 lawyer is the ability to audit AI outputs for facticity and tone.
• Bridging the Access Gap: A deep dive into how AI could potentially empower litigants in person, provided we can break through the paywalls of legal precedent.
• The QWE Advantage: How BPP’s Qualifying Work Experience is broadening the path to the solicitor's roll and why tech-fluency is now a mandatory condition of professional competence.
• A Warning on "Shadow AI": The risks of unedited AI-generated content in legal practice and the emerging challenges of negligence from "bad AI".

Daniel cautions that while AI offers potential, it could lead to "overconfident litigants in person." Is the legal sector truly ready to embrace AI, or is there technical debt looming? 

To find out more and to see our full range of programmes, please visit our website at: www.bpp.com 

I'm Idris Fabiyi, Head of Technology and Innovation at BPP University, Estio Training, Firebrand Training & host of the TechSphere podcast. I'm on a mission to demystify complex technology and make it accessible for businesses and learners.

Follow me on LinkedIn: Idris Fabiyi

My Medium.com profile: Read my Articles

Get in Touch: [email protected]

Is your AI just talking, or is it actually doing? Most people use Large Language Models (LLMs) as a sophisticated search engine, but the real "Digital Edge" lies in AI Agents, systems that don’t just provide information, but execute tasks.

In this deep-dive episode, Idris Fabiyi sits down with Jacob Reilly-Cooper (Head of Software Curriculum at BPP Firebrand) and Sean Rafter (Head of Curriculum Development-Data & AI) to dismantle the architecture of AI agents. From the "Flight Booking" analogy to the dangers of "Vibe Coding," we explore how to give the LLM "brain" a functional "body."

We move beyond the hype to discuss the hard engineering required to make agents safe, deterministic, and truly useful for UK businesses.

What You’ll Learn:

• Execution vs. Information: Why the future of tech isn't about prompts, but about orchestration layers and tool integration.
• The Deterministic Verifier: Why you need a non-AI "rule-book" to stop your agents from hallucinating your business into a corner.
• The Death of Vibe Coding: Why relying on "vibes" is the fastest way to accrue massive tech debt.
• Generative BI: How autonomous agents are transforming data cleansing from a manual chore into a strategic advantage.
• The Jobs Debate: Why integration, not replacement, is the path to societal benefit.

The Guests:

• Jacob Reilly-Cooper: A technical strategist focused on the software frameworks that turn models into members of the team.
• Sean Rafter: A data expert bridging the gap between natural language and business intelligence.

To find out more and to see our full range of programmes, please visit our website at: www.bpp.com 

I'm Idris Fabiyi, Head of Technology and Innovation at BPP University, Estio Training, Firebrand Training & host of the TechSphere podcast. I'm on a mission to demystify complex technology and make it accessible for businesses and learners.

Follow me on LinkedIn: Idris Fabiyi

My Medium.com profile: Read my Articles

Get in Touch: [email protected]

In this episode of TechSphere, host Idris Fabiyi is joined by Danny Clegg, the "Healthcare Unicorn" of BPP University. As an Associate Professor of Inclusive Practice and Digital Pedagogy, Danny’s career spans from chiropractic care to nursing education but, it is his personal journey as a neurodivergent leader that truly shapes his visionary approach to tech.

Danny opens up about his late-in-life diagnosis of ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia, explaining how these "labels" became the catalyst for his "Equity by Design" philosophy. He shares how he moved from mounting GoPros on his head to stream "first-person" clinical views to building sophisticated Virtual Reality campuses and AI-driven reflective tools.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Power of Lived Experience: How Danny’s own struggles with traditional learning led him to create "Values-Based" digital tools that prioritize empathy.
• Equity by Design: Why we must "build the ramp" into digital tools from day one, rather than adding it as a supplement later.
• The Virtual Nursing Campus: A look at the Pre-Preceptorship Virtual World designed to help students transition smoothly into professional practice.
• AI as a Support, Not a Replacement: Why digital literacy is a "day one" requirement for modern nurses and why fear of AI dissolves once competence grows.

This conversation is a must-listen for educators, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in how we can use technology to create a more inclusive and equitable future.

I'm Idris Fabiyi, Head of Technology and Innovation at BPP University, Estio Training, Firebrand Training & host of the TechSphere podcast. I'm on a mission to demystify complex technology and make it accessible for businesses and learners.

Follow me on LinkedIn: Idris Fabiyi

My Medium.com profile: Read my Articles

Get in Touch: [email protected]

The "Holidays are Coming" trucks are an iconic symbol of the season. But this year, the engine driving them is Artificial Intelligence.

In this episode, the BPP Digital Marketing Training Team sits down for an unfiltered review of Coca-Cola’s controversial new AI-generated Christmas ad. 

It’s the campaign that has split the marketing world down the middle. Is it a glimpse into the future of cost-effective, reactive advertising, or is it a "lazy" step into the uncanny valley? The team breaks down the strategy, the tech and the backlash.

Key topics discussed:

• Man vs. Machine: The surprising reality behind the production—it took 17,000 AI-generated clips and a team of 100 humans to build it.
• The Pivot to Animals: Why Coca-Cola likely focused on squirrels and polar bears to avoid the "uncanny valley" criticism leveled at previous AI attempts.
• The Backlash: Addressing the criticism that AI ads are "lazy" or taking jobs away from creatives, versus the argument for efficiency and speed.
• The Consistency Problem: A look at where the tech still falls short, specifically in maintaining character and asset consistency across scenes.

Whether you think it’s brilliant or a creepy look into the future, this is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of Brand Heritage and Generative AI.

To find out more and to see our full range of programmes, please visit our website at: www.bpp.com 

I'm Idris Fabiyi, Head of Technology and Innovation at BPP University, Estio Training, Firebrand Training & host of the TechSphere podcast. I'm on a mission to demystify complex technology and make it accessible for businesses and learners.

Follow me on LinkedIn: Idris Fabiyi

My Medium.com profile: Read my Articles

Get in Touch: [email protected]

In this episode of TechSphere, host Idris Fabiyi sits down with Owais Bharwani, a Level 6 Digital Technology Solutions Apprentice and Quality Engineer at Lloyds Banking Group.

Owais shares his journey from a change from an Electronic Engineering degree to finding his true path in an apprenticeship. He pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to work in tech at a major bank, revealing a culture that is racing to become "the biggest FinTech in the UK".

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Evolution of Testing: Owais explains the shift from the "slow" world of manual testing to modern automation, and why his team size dropped from 30 to 12 while productivity soared .
• AI as a Tool, Not a Crutch: Owais gives a crucial warning to new developers: "Don't ask AI to write the code for you." He explains why you must understand the logic before you let AI automate it .
• The Future of the Role: A bold prediction that the distinction between "Software Engineer" and "Software Tester" might disappear entirely in the next 5 years.

Tune in for a real-world look at the future of work, the power of apprenticeships, and why soft skills are your secret weapon in a tech career.

I'm Idris Fabiyi, Head of Technology and Innovation at BPP University, Estio Training, Firebrand Training & host of the TechSphere podcast. I'm on a mission to demystify complex technology and make it accessible for businesses and learners.

Follow me on LinkedIn: Idris Fabiyi

My Medium.com profile: Read my Articles

Get in Touch: [email protected]

Welcome to this episode of TechSphere, where we sit down with Ashley Trigg – A Data and Business Architect at Marlborough Group studying a Level 6 Data Science degree apprentice with BPP and newly appointed Chair of the British Computer Society's Inclusion Committee.

Ashley's journey challenges everything you thought you knew about apprenticeships. This isn't a fresh-faced college leaver story. It’s about a professional who chose to upskill after discovering their company's apprenticeship levy pot was sitting unused.

In this conversation, Ashley opens up about battling anxiety while building a career, explaining how pushing beyond comfort zones from moving to Scotland at 18 to speaking on a panel for the first time became the key to growth.

We also get into the technical details: What really happens when launching a new mutual fund (a process that starts at the London Stock Exchange)?

Why does Excel remain the "lifeblood" of data work, even as you're migrating to Microsoft Fabric? How can an apprenticeship align perfectly with a company's digital transformation, letting you learn SQL and Python at the exact same time you need them for a real-world project?

But perhaps most inspiring is Ashley's work beyond the day job: serving as a trustee for 2 charities, chairing the BCS Inclusion Committee, and championing the message that volunteering isn't a chore it's an opportunity that can fundamentally change your trajectory.

Tune in for an inspiring, honest story about building a career, finding confidence, and why, as Ashley says, "you can be an early careers professional at any stage in your life."

To find out more and to see our full range of programmes, please visit our website at: www.bpp.com 

I'm Idris Fabiyi, Head of Technology and Innovation at BPP University, Estio Training, Firebrand Training & host of the TechSphere podcast. I'm on a mission to demystify complex technology and make it accessible for businesses and learners.

Follow me on LinkedIn: Idris Fabiyi

My Medium.com profile: Read my Articles

Get in Touch: [email protected]

 What comes after generative AI? The answer might be "AI Agents". Autonomous AI that can not only generate content but also complete complex tasks, manage projects, and run parts of a business.

But what does this "next big step" in technology mean for the marketing profession? Will it replace jobs, or free us up to be more creative than ever?

Join host, David Green and Marketing Trainers team (Louis, Pav, and Helen) for an unscripted "drop-in" discussion on the real-world impact of AI Agents.

In this episode, they explore:

• The crucial difference between generative AI (like ChatGPT) and autonomous AI Agents.
• The "threat vs. tool" debate: Are learners right to be concerned about job replacement?
• Why the "human touch"—creativity, ethics, and strategic thinking—remains irreplaceable.
• A fascinating look at how AI agents will force a complete rethink of SEO.
• Why apprenticeships, with their final interviews, are uniquely positioned to prove human competence in an AI-driven world.

An authentic look at the future of marketing and the skills that will matter most! 

To find out more and to see our full range of programmes, please visit our website at: www.bpp.com 

I'm Idris Fabiyi, Head of Technology and Innovation at BPP University, Estio Training, Firebrand Training & host of the TechSphere podcast. I'm on a mission to demystify complex technology and make it accessible for businesses and learners.

Follow me on LinkedIn: Idris Fabiyi

My Medium.com profile: Read my Articles

Get in Touch: [email protected]

In this episode of BPP TechSphere, host Idris Fabiyi sits down with Sean Rafter, Head of Curriculum for Data and AI at BPP, to demystify one of the most powerful and misunderstood technologies on the horizon. Sean, a self-confessed sci-fi and science fan, explains the real-world applications of creating a living, breathing digital version of a physical object.

In this episode, you will learn:

• A simple, clear definition of what a digital twin actually is and how it's used to test and innovate. 
• The fascinating reasons that inspired Sean to author a white paper on the topic, from a love of the Netflix series Altered Carbon to professional "horizon scanning" for the skills of the future. 
• Real-world examples of how digital twins are already being used by companies like Airbus to test jet engines and by planners to model the future of entire cities.
• Tune in to move past the buzzwords and understand the remarkable impact of digital twin technology.

Read Sean's article on Digital Twins here: Digital Twins 

Follow him on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-rafter/

If today's discussion has inspired you to expand your own knowledge and you would like some inspiration for your next career move, the BPP Group is here to help. From apprenticeships and degrees to professional qualifications, there's a pathway ready for you.

To find out more and to see our full range of programmes, please visit our website at: www.bpp.com .

#DigitalTwins #EmergingTech #SmartCities #AviationTech #UrbanPlanning #SimulationTechnology #TechLeadership #EdTech #FutureSkills #STEMEducation

I'm Idris Fabiyi, Head of Technology and Innovation at BPP University, Estio Training, Firebrand Training & host of the TechSphere podcast. I'm on a mission to demystify complex technology and make it accessible for businesses and learners.

Follow me on LinkedIn: Idris Fabiyi

My Medium.com profile: Read my Articles

Get in Touch: [email protected]

Is using AI to help write code a form of cheating? or is it like using a calculator in an exam? A powerful tool that, when used correctly, allows us to focus on solving bigger problems, not the complexity of the technology? 

In this episode of TechSphere, host Idris Fabiyi sits down with Dr. Francesca Taliaferri, a data lecturer at BPP with a rich background as a mathematician and a former industry data analyst. She discusses her revolutionary approach to embedding AI directly into the curriculum.

This conversation goes beyond the hype to explore what skills truly matter in an AI-driven world.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How the curriculum is designed to embrace AIWhy the single most important skill for any employee using AI is not technical proficiency, but critical evaluation.
• Dr Francesca's "hot take" for business leaders: why "not everybody needs AI" and the crucial steps you must take with your data before adopting AI tools.
• How a modern curriculum stays relevant in a field that changes so rapidly, shifting focus from obsolete topics to cutting-edge areas like Natural Language Processing.

Tune in for a masterclass on the future of tech education and the human skills that will always be essential.

If today's discussion has inspired you to expand your own knowledge and you would like some inspiration for your next career move, the BPP Group is here to help. From apprenticeships and degrees to professional qualifications, there's a pathway ready for you.

To find out more and to see our full range of programmes, please visit our website at: www.bpp.com 

Dr Francesca Tagliaferri's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-tagliaferri-3355b721/

I'm Idris Fabiyi, Head of Technology and Innovation at BPP University, Estio Training, Firebrand Training & host of the TechSphere podcast. I'm on a mission to demystify complex technology and make it accessible for businesses and learners.

Follow me on LinkedIn: Idris Fabiyi

My Medium.com profile: Read my Articles

Get in Touch: [email protected]