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In this week's episode, Tim Burnett chats with Nena Hollis, Paddy McLaughlin, Hugh McNeela, and Anna Kate Phelan at the EATP conference in Dublin. Nena works in the ATP operations team, Paddy served as chair of the EATP conference, Hugh is a first time attendee from ReadSpeaker, and Anna is an ATP volunteer and eAA Director working at Eintech focusing on user experience design in assessment platforms.

They discuss:

The success of the EATP Dublin conference, which saw a 25% increase in attendance, and the importance of ATP's volunteer-driven model across its 15 division committees

Accessibility and inclusion in assessments, including text-to-speech solutions, women-specific barriers in assessment, and human-centred design principles

Innovation in the assessment sector, from AI-powered immediate feedback platforms like Surpass Tutor to virtual professional discussions and the ongoing challenges of preventing cheating in the AI era

The conversations highlight the vibrant community at EATP Dublin, with delegates sharing insights on upcoming ATP events including webinars, coffee chats, and the Innovations conference in New Orleans (1-4 March 2026). All guests emphasised the personal and professional benefits of volunteering in industry organisations like ATP.

Key topics included Mary Richardson's opening keynote on the importance of humanising assessments, the challenges facing disengaged younger learners (particularly females), and how organisations are incorporating accessibility and inclusive design into their assessment workflows.

Anna's presentation on "Breaking Barriers: Women in Assessment" generated significant discussion about menopause, gender parity, and the need for supportive male allies in the industry.

Hugh shared insights on text-to-speech technology's role in creating fair and accessible assessments, whilst Paddy reflected on the responsibilities and rewards of conference leadership.

Connect with Anna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annakatephelan/

Connect with Paddy:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paddy-mclaughlin/

Connect with Hugh:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughmcneela/

Connect with Nena:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nena-hollis-mba-938994265/

Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/

If you would like to join Tim on a future episode or sponsor the Test Community Network then get in touch with Tim to schedule a call: https://calendly.com/educationtech/15min-teams-chat

Events: https://www.testcommunity.network/upcoming-events

Podcasts: https://www.testcommunity.network/podcasts

Marketplace: https://www.testcommunity.network/marketplace

Subscribe to the Test Community Network here: https://www.testcommunity.network

In this week's episode, Tim Burnett chats with Jim from Surpass, discussing the upcoming Surpass Virtual Conference. They discuss:The evolution of the Surpass Conference format and the decision to alternate between virtual and in-person eventsThe impressive keynote lineup featuring John Weiner on AI and automation, Andreas Schleicher on global AI educational practices, and John Winkley with Shirley Watson on formative assessmentThe closing panel exploring the convergence of AI and humanoid robotics in vocational education and trainingTim and Jim explore the extensive programme planned for the 7th-9th October conference, including a pre-conference day dedicated to deep-diving into specific topics. Jim shares exciting updates about AI-assisted item writing at scale using Surpass Copilot, innovative offline assessment delivery on Chromebooks, and developments in the Surpass Test Centre Network. The conversation also touches on the growing use of Surpass Tutor for personalised learning and formative assessment by organisations like NCFE and SQA.Tim also provides his weekly industry headlines update, highlighting key stories including medical assessment integrity issues in Belgium, new research on auto-scoring creative thinking, and the launch of his comprehensive AI Adoption Playbook for UK awarding bodies.Connect with Jim and Surpass: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-crawford-15040966/Register for the free Surpass Conference: https://conference.surpass.comConnect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/If you would like to join Tim on a future episode or sponsor the Test Community Network then get in touch with Tim to schedule a call: https://calendly.com/educationtech/15min-teams-chatEvents: https://www.testcommunity.network/upcoming-eventsPodcasts: https://www.testcommunity.network/podcastsMarketplace: https://www.testcommunity.network/marketplaceSubscribe to the Test Community Network here: https://www.testcommunity.network🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5780597344829440

In this week's episode, Tim Burnett chats with Mark Gray, UK and Ireland Manager for Universal Robots. Mark brings 25 years of automation experience and 9 years with Universal Robots, where he's responsible for day-to-day operations across the UK and Ireland. They discuss:How collaborative robots are revolutionizing manufacturing without replacing human workersThe flexibility of robotics technology and its potential for reshoring UK manufacturingFuture skills requirements and training opportunities in the robotics industryMark shares insights into how Universal Robots' collaborative robots (cobots) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are being deployed across various industries - from small 3-4 person companies to large manufacturing facilities. The conversation explores applications ranging from machine shops and welding to food packaging, medical device assembly, and even laboratory automation that can run overnight processing blood samples.A key theme throughout the discussion is how robotics technology can address the UK's skills gap and aging workforce while making manufacturing jobs more attractive to younger generations. Mark explains how robots provide the flexibility that modern manufacturing demands - able to be reprogrammed and redeployed for different tasks as business needs change, unlike traditional hard automation.The episode also delves into the intersection of AI and robotics, with Mark describing robots as "the physical embodiment of AI." He discusses how AI-assisted programming and vision systems are making robots more autonomous and easier to deploy, while emphasizing the continued need for human skills in both practical installation and advanced software development.For those interested in entering the robotics field, Mark highlights training opportunities available through Universal Robots' Sheffield facility, including free courses for technical apprentices. The company also provides educational support to colleges and universities across the UK, with plans to expand their presence in UTC colleges.Connect with Mark Gray on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/eDRDYUafConnect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/ewkjcPvUIf you would like to join Tim on a future episode or sponsor the Test Community Network then get in touch with Tim to schedule a call: https://lnkd.in/e5krHwzAEvents: https://lnkd.in/gngYJ_vZPodcasts: https://lnkd.in/gqbFy4HmMarketplace: https://lnkd.in/eryjSzutSubscribe to the Test Community Network here: https://lnkd.in/eEfqjykN🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://lnkd.in/eWCFYRVX

Transform your ChatGPT trials into a strategic 2-year AI plan that maintains integrity while driving operational excellenceThis session transforms everyday AI experiments into a strategic advantage.Most senior and AI-forward staff at Awarding Organisations now use AI platforms like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google on a day-to-day basis. But are they maximising their potential, are they taking risks? And what comes next in AI adoption?This session brings together experts in AI, AOs, training and skills adoption to provide both practical and strategic advice for evaluating AI solutions, building compelling business cases, and developing your adaptive 2-year roadmap.This session covers:- Evaluating AI solutions with integrity and compliance at the core- Building AI literacy across your organisation- Developing internal expertise while maintaining quality standards- Creating adaptive roadmaps that scale from individual productivity to organisational transformationYour expertise is invaluable; AI should amplify it, not replace it. By adopting a 2-year roadmap approach, every organisation can plan its AI journey, helping them remain competitive, manage resources, and stay true to their vision and values.Key Focus Areas:- Assessment integrity and fairness in AI adoption- Regulatory compliance strategies- Building AI literacy and internal capabilities- Operational efficiency opportunitiesDesigned for: Senior leaders, heads of departments, and content specialists seeking practical frameworks to move from experimentation to strategic implementation.Lizzie Gauntlett - AO Consultant and Assessment SpecialistFormer Senior Policy Officer at the Federation of Awarding Bodies with a PhD in academic resilience. Now works independently supporting awarding organisations with policy development, risk management, and AI implementation challenges in assessment and compliance.Adarsh Sudhindra - AI Technology EntrepreneurVice President at Excelsoft Technologies with 15+ years in e-learning. Computer Science graduate with experience at Adobe and IBM. TEDx speaker specialising in AI-powered educational technology and assessment solutions.Jonathan Jacob - Founder & Lead InstructorFounder of Northern IT Academy with 20+ years in IT training and project management. Former director at a major UK online training provider, focusing on helping organisations effectively adopt and implement new technologies.

In this week's episode, Tim Burnett explores the latest AI cheating capabilities using Microsoft's Copilot Pro Actions feature. He demonstrates:

- How Copilot Pro's new "Actions" feature can autonomously complete online assessments

- Which question types are most vulnerable to AI infiltration (multiple choice vs matching questions)

- The accessibility of this technology - available for just £19/month with free trial options

Tim provides a live demonstration of an AI agent taking a sample test, achieving 16 out of 17 correct answers whilst operating completely hands-off. He discusses the implications for assessment security, explaining how simple technology costing as little as £12 can be used to share exam screens with AI systems that provide real-time answers through audio feedback or tactile signals.

The episode highlights the urgent need for assessment providers to understand these readily available cheating tools and their potential impact on exam integrity. Tim also touches on his previous work building similar systems using Replit and discusses how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) models can be enhanced with domain-specific knowledge to improve performance on specialised assessments.

This demonstration follows Tim's recent cheating webinar and serves as a practical exploration of how accessible AI-powered cheating tools have become for the average test-taker.

Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/

If you would like to join Tim on a future episode or sponsor the Test Community Network then get in touch with Tim to schedule a call: https://calendly.com/educationtech/15min-teams-chat

Events: https://www.testcommunity.network/upcoming-events

Podcasts: https://www.testcommunity.network/podcasts

Marketplace: https://www.testcommunity.network/marketplace

Subscribe to the Test Community Network here: https://www.testcommunity.network

In this week's episode, Tim Burnett chats with Kristina Preston, Head of Awarding and Skills Appointments at Peridot Partners. Kristina specialises in executive search for awarding organisations, assessment bodies, and skills providers across the not-for-profit education sector. They discuss:

• The current impact of AI on recruitment within awarding organisations and whether it poses an immediate threat to jobs in the sector
• How AI is being used by both candidates and employers in the recruitment process, including both positive applications and concerning misuse
• The challenge of maintaining entry-level pathways and career development opportunities as automation potentially eliminates traditional starting roles

Kristina shares insights on the "sticky" nature of careers in the awarding sector, driven by strong social purpose and mission-focused work. She explains how AI is currently being used as a tool to enhance recruitment processes rather than replace human judgement, particularly important in a sector where cultural fit and lived experience matter significantly. The conversation explores the growing demand for trustee recruitment and how bringing external expertise from other industry sectors is bringing fresh commercial and digital insights to awarding organisation boards.

A key theme emerges around the human-centred nature of the awarding sector - organisations driven by social mobility, education access, and skills development that rely heavily on values-based leadership and mission-driven professionals. While AI may streamline certain processes, the core purpose of these organisations remains deeply human, suggesting the sector may be more resilient to AI displacement than others.

Connect with Kristina Preston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinaprestonperidot/

Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/

If you would like to join Tim on a future episode or sponsor the Test Community Network then get in touch with Tim to schedule a call: https://calendly.com/educationtech/15min-teams-chat

Events: https://www.testcommunity.network/upcoming-events

Podcasts: https://www.testcommunity.network/podcasts

Marketplace: https://www.testcommunity.network/marketplace

Subscribe to the Test Community Network here: https://www.testcommunity.network

In this week's episode, Tim Burnett chats with Romana Moss (eAA Board Member & Royal College of Emergency Medicine), Graham Hudson (eAA Chair) and Gareth Hopkins (Surpass Assessment and Volunteer), Shoeb Mozammel (Vretta), and Jeremy Carter (Sentira XR + 2025 three-time award winner). They discuss:

• The transformative role of formative assessment in supporting learning journeys and strengthening understanding through AI enhancements
• The record-breaking success of the eAssessment Association conference with participants from 18 countries and unprecedented energy and engagement
• The emerging accessibility focus in digital assessment and the tools making tests available to everyone

Tim provides a review of the three-day e-Assessment Association conference and awards in London, highlighting the national roundtable, AI symposium, main conference sessions, and the interactive space where 24 applications were built in just 25 minutes using no-code development tools. The episode captures insights from multiple award winners and conference organisers about the future of digital assessment.

Romana Moss emphasizes how formative assessment can "pinpoint weak points" and provide "deep understanding into why people aren't being as successful as they would like to be," particularly when enhanced with AI.

Graham Hudson and Gareth Hopkins reflect on the extraordinary energy of this year's conference and the importance of accessibility tools in making assessments available to everyone.

Shoeb Mozammel from Vretta shares his experience as an international participant, praising the intimate, family-like atmosphere that sets this conference apart.

Jeremy Carter, who made history by winning three awards in one night, offers practical advice for future award submissions, emphasising the importance of commitment, careful analysis of judging criteria, and making submissions human rather than salesy.

The episode also showcases Tim's innovative interactive session where participants used AI-powered no-code development tools to create functional assessment applications, including an OSCE examination platform with real-time transcription capabilities, demonstrating the rapid evolution of assessment technology.

Finally Tim shares a clip when Gateway Qualifications received their award!

Connect with Romana Moss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romana-moss-6113a619/

Connect with Graham Hudson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamhudson/

Connect with Gareth Hopkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethahopkins/

Connect with Shoeb Mozammel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoeb-mozammel-973b9b1bb/

Connect with Jeremy Carter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremycarter72/

Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/

If you would like to join Tim on a future episode or sponsor the Test Community Network then get in touch with Tim to schedule a call: https://calendly.com/educationtech/15min-teams-chat

Events: https://www.testcommunity.network/upcoming-events

Podcasts: https://www.testcommunity.network/podcasts

Marketplace: https://www.testcommunity.network/marketplace

Subscribe to the Test Community Network here: https://www.testcommunity.network

In this week's episode, Tim Burnett answers a listener question about where organisations should start with AI implementation. He discusses:
- Establishing AI policies and creating red, green, and blue team structures for AI adoption

- Recommended starting platforms including Notebook LM, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and ChatGPT Teams

- Data security considerations and the importance of paid versus free AI tools
Tim provides comprehensive guidance on beginning your organisation's AI journey, starting with policy development and team structure. He demonstrates practical tools like Notebook LM for workforce development and research, then explores enterprise solutions based on your existing tech stack.
The episode includes hands-on demonstrations of deep research capabilities, no-code app creation tools like Lovable and Replit, and emphasises crucial data security considerations when choosing between free and paid AI platforms.
Tim also highlights upcoming events, particularly the eAssessment Association's International Conference and Awards taking place in London, featuring an AI Symposium and the main conference with awards dinner.
https://e-assessment.com/conference
Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/
If you would like to join Tim on a future episode or sponsor the Test Community Network then get in touch with Tim to schedule a call: https://calendly.com/educationtech/15min-teams-chat
Events: https://www.testcommunity.network/upcoming-events
Podcasts: https://www.testcommunity.network/podcasts
Marketplace: https://www.testcommunity.network/marketplace
Subscribe to the Test Community Network here: https://www.testcommunity.network

In this week's episode (Part 2 of 2), Tim Burnett continues his conversation with Rita Bateson, an assessment writer, curriculum developer, and Director at Eblana Learning. Rita has extensive experience working with the International Baccalaureate (IB) and specialises in the ethical evolution of assessment technology.

They discuss:

• Cognitive offloading: How AI might be making us mentally lazy and changing our thinking habits
• The politeness paradox: Why Sam Altman's comment about "please and thank you" costing millions reveals deeper social engineering implications
• Generational impacts: How children born into the AI world face unique challenges with privacy, mistakes, and constant surveillance

Rita explores how AI is unconsciously changing human behaviour, from writing styles to social interactions. She shares insights about students reaching for AI before asking peers, the phenomenon of "memory offloading" (similar to how we stopped remembering phone numbers), and the subtle ways AI is reshaping how we think and communicate.

The conversation reveals surprising findings about AI's ability to understand human dynamics and relationships, while addressing concerns about the first generation that "truly won't have the ability to be forgotten."

If you missed Part 1, catch up on the environmental impact of AI-powered assessments: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7328162968389435393/comments

Learn more about Rita's work at the e-Assessment Associations 2025 conference in London:https://conference2025.e-assessment.com/2025/en/page/ai-symposium-2025

Connect with Rita Bateson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-bateson-frsa-8741b868/

Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/

If you would like to join Tim on a future episode or sponsor the Test Community Network then get in touch with Tim to schedule a call: https://calendly.com/educationtech/15min-teams-chat

Events: https://www.testcommunity.network/upcoming-events

Podcasts: https://www.testcommunity.network/podcasts

Marketplace: https://www.testcommunity.network/marketplace

Subscribe to the Test Community Network here: https://www.testcommunity.network

In this first part of a 2-part episode, Tim Burnett chats with Rita Bateson, an assessment writer, curriculum developer, and Director at Eblana Learning. Rita has extensive experience working with the International Baccalaureate (IB) and specialises in the ethical evolution of assessment, particularly focusing on sustainability and environmental impact.

In Part 1, they discuss:

Dublin's energy crisis and the impact of data centre energy consumption on Ireland's electrical grid

The hidden carbon cost of AI and that already surpassed aviation in environmental impact

Why we can't ignore the inconvenient truth when it comes to the impact of AI on the environment

Rita explains how the assessment industry is sleepwalking into a massive environmental crisis. Whilst everyone pushes to move away from paper-based testing, the energy consumption of AI-powered assessments creates invisible but enormous carbon footprints. She explores why a single AI prompt can use anywhere from 1 to 15 watt-hours of energy, and warns about the scaling factor as teachers and students multiply that usage exponentially.

The conversation reveals why this is the "inconvenient truth" the education sector isn't discussing - despite our commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Rita shares insights from Dublin, where AI energy demands have led to discussions about reopening nuclear plants and investing £800 billion in data centres.

Stay tuned for Part 2 where Rita and Tim explore: Could AI be changing how we think and socialise in ways we haven't realised?

Learn more about Rita's work at the e-Assessment Associations 2025 conference in London:https://conference2025.e-assessment.com/2025/en/page/ai-symposium-2025

Connect with Rita Bateson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-bateson-frsa-8741b868/

Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/

If you would like to join Tim on a future episode or sponsor the Test Community Network then get in touch with Tim to schedule a call: https://calendly.com/educationtech/15min-teams-chat

Events: https://www.testcommunity.network/upcoming-events

Podcasts: https://www.testcommunity.network/podcasts

Marketplace: https://www.testcommunity.network/marketplace

Subscribe to the Test Community Network here: https://www.testcommunity.network