Two of the brains behind RGC Online have been announced as the sole Scottish representatives to join the ground-breaking AI in Education project. 

Robin Macpherson, Head of Robert Gordon’s College, and Jess Power, Head of RGC Online, have teamed up with the initiative, which is a cross-sector collaboration pioneered by Sir Anthony Seldon and aims to explore the current and future applications of artificial intelligence in education.

The initiative was unveiled in May and has been endorsed by 60 prominent school leaders who penned their support in a letter published in The Times. It brings together a host of experienced partners who have worked in both state and independent educational sectors. 

The primary objective of AI in Education is to provide informed guidance to the education sector and is committed to ensuring that AI's integration into education maximises the benefits for students, teachers, parents, and governors.

Mr Macpherson, member of the Strategy Panel, said: “Jess and I are both honoured to have been invited to take part in this initiative. It’s an indication of how RGC is perceived across UK education as a thought leader on technology. We believe that AI can, if used positively and ethically,  be a powerful tool for education. We are excited to be playing a pivotal role in guiding its integration into the classroom alongside some of the leading figures in British education.”

Mrs Power, Practitioner Panel member, added: “We fully understand that AI is the future, which is why it is central to the RGC Online offer. We believe it is going to revolutionise the way that students learn and teachers educate, and it is our duty as educators to ensure that our students are provided every opportunity to learn these new technologies as they become available.”

Later in November, the AI in Education programme is running its second education conference, this time titled AI in Education: Cutting through the Noise, to be hosted by Epsom College. Mrs Power has been selected as one of the practitioners to lead a hands-on workshop to demonstrate AI in practice. 

Championing a collaborative approach from within its global alumni network, Robert Gordon’s College has worked alongside tech industry experts and academic leaders from Robert Gordon University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), to develop RGC Online, which offers SQA accredited Higher Computing Science and Higher Applications of Mathematics.

It also offers additional tech-focused modules, designed to equip young people with the skills required for future roles in the sector. Certificates are awarded upon the completion of each module, which include: Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Game Design, and Entrepreneurship.

For more information about RGC Online, please visit: www.rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk/rgconline.

RGC Online to represent Scotland in ground-breaking AI in Education initiative