AI Transformation in Education: National Cross-Sector Learnings Event

Yesterday, we hosted an in-person, Chatham House Rule event in partnership with Derby City Council, bringing together senior leaders from education institutions across England, Scotland and Wales to explore the future of AI-enabled transformation in Further and Higher Education.

The session took place inside Derby City Council’s chamber and created a trusted space for open, honest discussion. In line with the Chatham House Rule the event was held under, this summary does not reference individuals, their institutions or photographs.

Shared Challenges, Shared Opportunities

The day opened by reflecting on the pressures currently facing the education sector, including financial constraints, rising service expectations, demographic change, and increasingly fragmented staff and student interactions. Jisc contributed a national perspective on the state of readiness across the sector and the gro

wing appetite for structured, operationally focused AI transformation. With this context set, the conversation moved to Derby City Council’s journey and what other sectors can learn from their approach.

Derby’s AI Transformation Journey: Transferable Lessons

Derby shared their experience of moving from early AI exploration to a whole-organisation transformation programme. Rather than focusing on technology alone, their journey emphasised:

• The importance of leadership alignment

• A clear mandate for change

• A structured and evidence-based starting point

• A focus on operational improvement and measurable outcomes

• A commitment to governance, ethics and continual improvement

  
  

Attendees were particularly interested in how Derby built momentum, how they engaged staff, and how they ensured benefits were realised quickly and sustainably.

The principles behind Derby’s approach - clarity of purpose, structured assessment, strong governance, and rapid but controlled delivery - were highlighted as directly applicable to the challenges universities and colleges face today.

Cross-Sector Transferability

Discussions throughout the day focused on what elements of a local authority AI transformation programme translate most naturally to education, including:

• Building alignment across complex organisational structures

• Improving the quality and consistency of staff and student support

• Reducing administrative burdens

• Breaking down service fragmentation and duplication

• Creating the conditions for pace, accountability and shared ownership

  
  

A common theme raised was the persistent, year-on-year financial pressure felt across public services - something many attendees recognised within their own institutions. Several participants described this as a pattern of incremental budget reductions over the past decade, which has gradually tightened operational capacity and placed greater emphasis on the need for new, more sustainable models of working. This context resonated strongly with the cross-sector group and reinforced why structured AI transformation is increasingly being explored as a strategic response.

While the sectors differ in mission and structure, attendees noted that many operational challenges are surprisingly similar, and the opportunities for improvement are substantial.

Closing Themes

The event concluded with several core messages:

• AI Transformation requires aligned leadership, clear objectives and strong governance

• Early structure helps institutions move from experimentation to value quickly

• The combination of people, process and technology change is essential

• Benefits must be clearly defined and tracked throughout

• Cross-sector learning accelerates confidence and readiness

  
  

In summary, Derby’s experience has demonstrated a practical, repeatable model for transitioning from AI curiosity to AI-enabled organisational change - and the education sector is well-positioned to draw on these lessons.

Next Steps

For institutions wanting to continue the conversation, we are happy to provide a follow-up briefing or share a summary with colleagues who were unable to attend.

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