Digital skills takes centre stage at The Exchange during Birmingham Tech Week

The fourth edition of Birmingham Tech Week’s Digital Skills Symposium hosted at The Exchange will take place on Tuesday 22 October. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, will open the event, which brings together hundreds of industry leaders, people and talent professionals and educators to discuss digital skills. The Symposium forms part of a week-long programme of events happening across the city that celebrate technology and innovation. 

Professor Tom Harrison, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor for Education Innovation, will be joined by University of Birmingham graduate Ashleigh Miles, who now works in PwC’s operational technology security team, and others, to discuss why the Midlands is the best place to grow and nurture talent. 

On the Symposium, Prof. Tom Harrison has this to say: “People and skills are key to the technological advancements, including AI, which are shaping our lives and the world of work. Our graduates are a top choice amongst major employers, and we know that while their grades and technical skills are important, we also need to support them to develop the competencies and attributes that enable people to unlock the promise of these advancements. We have a key role to play in the conversation on digital skills.” 

Birmingham Digital Futures (BDF), a public-private partnership co-founded by the University with PwC and Tech She Can aimed at closing the digital skills gap, will feature throughout the day. Sheridan Ash MBE, founder and co-CEO of Tech She Can, is exploring the bold leadership needed to ensure digital skills is at the heart of people’s education from school through to the world of work with AND Digital and Tech UK. And for a second year running, BDF are collaborating with Digital Innovators as part of the Symposium, co-leading a workshop in the afternoon that will encourage participants to use design thinking to explore young people’s transition into work. 

The Symposium follows a bumper year of Birmingham Digital Futures (BDF) activity, highlighted in the annual impact report. Since last September, BDF has inspired over 30,000 children and young people to explore and develop digital skills. Over a thousand people across 70 Birmingham-based organisations, including Tech She Can, Digital Innovators, Ahead Partnership and Entrust have made it possible for these young people to imagine their digital futures. 

On the past 12 months, Jack Tasker, Business Engagement Partner for Birmingham Digital Futures reflects:

“It’s been a fantastic year working with our partners. Not only have we delivered workshops in schools and generated new and deeper insights about the needs of young people and educators, but we’ve created a firmer foundation for the collaboration necessary to close the regional digital skills gap. We know that this is key to ensuring everyone, regardless of life stage, can develop the skills and expertise needed to succeed in our increasingly digital economy.”

As the city welcomes thousands of people at what is considered the largest regional tech festival in the UK, The Exchange will host a showcase event for graduates of our student and start-up incubator, UoB Elevate, and continue to explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence through its public programming.

As part of the wider Digital Skills Day programme on Tuesday 22 October, Tania Duarte will host a free interactive evening session to decode AI and artist Sadie Barnett will host a creative workshop inspired by The Stuart Hall Archive Project.

Later in the week, the Improving Adult Care Together (IMPACT) research centre is hosting a discussion on the impact of technology in UK care services and Professor Aad van Moorsel will be in conversation with author Chris Stokel-Walker on the ethical considerations of AI in society. Further details on these and other research-inspired events can be found on The Exchange website.