ScottishPower played host to an industry leading ‘AI for Schools’ pilot scheme in its Glasgow headquarters, which welcomed 24, S4-S6 students to take part in an interactive week of learning about AI in the workplace.

ScottishPower in partnership with Skills Development Scotland created the ‘AI for Schools’ programme to help develop student’s skills in this area. As a key driver of this programme the aim is to help grow the understanding and use of AI in different sectors, including education.

The pioneering programme was established to better prepare students for an evolving professional landscape in which artificial intelligence wields an increasingly important role.

Embracing and utilising AI in the way the business operates across every sector allows for streamlining of services and functionality. Like many other businesses ScottishPower has embraced AI and is using the technology in it processes and functions.

ScottishPower is working on driving innovation in this area and has taken a leading role in driving real change in how young people are taught about the use of AI.

Adam Pollock, Head of Digital transformation & Innovation at ScottishPower, said:

“Partnership between industry and education will be key to helping young people to enter the workplace with the best possible understanding of AI and digital technology.

“This pioneering project encompassed a broad range of sessions and activities for the students to broaden their knowledge. Including how AI is implemented in our customer business, in the recruitment process and how they can use AI to help them with key life skills such as structuring a CV.

“It also showed how the technology has been integrated into complex areas such as digital transformation, throughout data centres and the maintenance of substations”.

Robert Ray, Chief Executive at Horizons Research said:

“ScottishPower’s AI for Schools has been invaluable in letting students experience how AI is being used in the workplace then encouraging them to take that knowledge back into school.

“The programme has made great strides in knowledge gap between education and the workplace in the use of AI and ScottishPower has played a key role in starting these conversations and establishing a road map for the future”.