Our Tech Ambassadors recently attended an exciting AI Masterclass hosted by Cambridge Spark at the UBS offices in London. This event exposed them to many of the practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI), providing insights that will shape their future aspirations in the tech field.

The event brought together professionals from a wide range of industries to explore how they could apply AI to their own workflow to improve productivity. For our ambassadors, the event was an eye-opener. They explored into how AI is not just a corporate tool, but also a resource for everyday activities such as meal planning, travel coordination, and even assisting with their homework. However, they also learned about the ethical considerations and risks associated with AI, such as data privacy and the potential misuse of sensitive information.

One of our ambassadors reflected on the session’s practical focus, noting how an attendee of the event utilised AI to address challenges such as finding accurate sizes in online shopping—a relatable issue for many. They also gained valuable insights into coding fundamentals and the broader impact of AI on society. “I received the best of both worlds,” they said, “seeing both the advantages and the risks of using AI.”

The workshop provided the ambassadors with actionable takeaways, from recognising AI’s potential to its risks, such as reliance on biased datasets or misuse by competitors.

For Voyage, the event outlined some practical opportunities and considerations involved in incorporating AI tools into our operations. AI presents an exciting potential to streamline administrative processes, such as automating routine tasks like scheduling, communication, and data management. This could free up staff time, allowing our team to focus more on meaningful engagement with young people and enhancing the quality of our programmes.

Additionally, AI could even play a role in personalising support for young people, tailoring resources and guidance to their individual needs. For example, AI-driven platforms could offer targeted career advice, recommend educational content, or even help young people refine their CVs and personal statements based on their specific goals.

However, these possibilities also come with the responsibility of ensuring that AI use aligns with our values. We must prioritise data privacy, ethical safeguards, and transparency to ensure any implementation benefits our young people without introducing unintended risks. As a charity dedicated to fostering leadership and opportunity, these considerations are essential to responsibly integrating technology into our mission.

This experience was not only educational, but also a stepping stone for our ambassadors as they navigate pathways into technology and innovation. We are proud of their enthusiasm and thoughtful contributions during the event, and we look forward to seeing how they implement these learnings in the future.