AI, Digital Skills and the Future of Teaching: Are We Preparing Young People for Tomorrow?
Season 2 • Episode 6
34 min
Published April 2025
Digital Skills • AI • Future of Education
Episode summary
Rebecca Franks and Beverly Clarke MBE reflect on the pilot of Flock XR in secondary schools and World Book Day activities promoting technology literacy through storytelling. They discuss the value of gathering learner feedback, designing educational resources collaboratively and why reconnecting with classrooms continues to inspire both of their careers.
The conversation explores some of the biggest questions facing education today, including teacher recruitment, digital skills, AI, Neuralink and the future of computing education. Rebecca and Beverly discuss the importance of balancing programming with practical digital literacy, arguing that young people need a broad range of technology skills to thrive in modern society.
As the episode concludes, they examine facial recognition, emotion detection, cashless payments and the growing role of AI in everyday life. Throughout the discussion they encourage listeners to remain curious, question how technology is being implemented and ensure that innovation always serves people rather than the other way around.
Journey insights
- Listening to users and acting on feedback leads to better products and better learning experiences.
- Digital skills are just as important as programming in preparing young people for the future.
- Emerging technologies should always be introduced alongside thoughtful ethical discussion.
- Successful educators and entrepreneurs continually adapt and refine their approach.
- Technology should empower people while preserving choice, privacy and human connection.
Is this episode for you?
This episode is for you if you are:
- Teachers and school leaders interested in the future of education.
- Parents supporting children’s digital development.
- Entrepreneurs building educational technology.
- Technology professionals interested in AI ethics and human-centred design.
- Anyone curious about how emerging technologies are changing everyday life.
About this episode
Rebecca Franks and Beverly Clarke MBE explore the future of education through discussions about AI, digital skills, Neuralink, facial recognition and the changing role of technology in schools and society. They examine why practical digital literacy, inclusive design and lifelong learning remain essential as innovation accelerates.
About the speakers
Rebecca Franks
Rebecca Franks is an award-winning technology educator, entrepreneur and Co-founder of Flip Computing. With more than 20 years of experience in education, she has authored national computing curricula, developed AI education programmes and speaks internationally about technology, inclusion and innovation. Rebecca is passionate about helping people build confidence, develop digital skills and discover rewarding careers in technology.
Beverly Clarke MBE
Beverly Clarke MBE is a technology leader, educator, coach and author with over 20 years of experience in education and digital skills. She is the author of the Ava and Chip children’s book series and is passionate about digital inclusion, artificial intelligence, coaching and empowering people to achieve their potential. Beverly was awarded an MBE for services to computing and digital education.
Together, Rebecca and Beverly share honest conversations about technology, careers, entrepreneurship and the lessons they are learning along the way.
Resources mentioned
- Flock XR
- Technology Books for Children
- World Book Day
- Neuralink
- World Economic Forum
- Algorithmic Justice League
- Facial recognition technology
- Digital skills education
- Cashless payments
- Voice assistants (Alexa)
