Marvin OnumonuFDM Group has partnered with Northeastern University London for a series of artificial intelligence (AI) talks looking at how AI is affecting businesses and jobs.
The first event, ‘Understanding AI: Beyond the Hype’, brought together speakers from companies including AstraZeneca, News UK Technology, Investec and Sainsbury’s.
The talks covered topics such as responsible AI, generative AI, AI fluency, prompt power, and the risks of deepfakes.
The first session took place on 1st October, with further events on 8th, 15th and 22nd October.
All sessions are being held both in person and online.
Sheila Flavell, chief operating officer at FDM Group, said: “Collaboration between industry and education is fundamental to shaping the future of AI development.
“By working together, businesses and academic institutions can ensure AI is developed responsibly, ethically, and inclusively.
“Through initiatives like our AI talk series, we’re bringing thought leaders together to help organisations and individuals truly understand what AI means for their future and how to prepare for it through training.”
Flavell added: “AI is transforming every sector, and the pace of change demands a workforce equipped with practical skills.
“The need for inclusive training has never been more essential.
“At FDM Group, we believe that investing in AI skills is key to driving innovation, closing capability gaps, and ensuring organisations remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital world.”
FDM Group’s Workforce 2.0: AI Adoption and the Future of Jobs research found 58% of organisations reported limited or early-stage AI proficiency, showing a wide gap in basic understanding and hands-on use.
Among these organisations, 32% said a lack of specialist skills was the main barrier to progress, underlining the need for more training and workforce development.
The event series is part of FDM Group’s wider efforts to upskill workers and link education with industry.
