Bridging Policy and Practice: Leading AI Transformation with Keith Smith, CEO at HRUC

🎧 Episode Title:Bridging Policy and Practice: Leading AI Transformation with Keith Smith, CEO at HRUC 🎙️ Podcast:The AI Works Podcast🔍 Episode OverviewHow can further education (FE) institutions turn national policy into meaningful practice when it comes to artificial intelligence? In this episode, Keith Smith—CEO at Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC) and former senior leader at the Department for Education—joins us to share his perspective on sector leadership in an AI-integrated world. From building system-wide collaboration to preparing students and staff for the demands of a digital economy, this conversation explores what it takes to lead well through uncertainty, complexity, and rapid technological change.Keith shares practical insights on:Creating an AI strategy at the organisational levelSupporting staff through disruption with purpose and clarityBuilding communities of practice across the FE sectorPartnerships that stretch thinking, including HRUC’s collaboration with MITWhether you're in education, policy, or industry, this episode offers a grounded yet ambitious perspective on the leadership required to move from AI awareness to confident, inclusive action.🧭 What We Cover✔️ Embedding AI into FE strategy and operations✔️ Staff development and psychological safety in times of change✔️ Opportunities for AI to improve inclusion and neurodiverse learning✔️ Sector-wide collaboration and the proposed AI community for FE✔️ The future of AI in physical form: robotics, automation, and governance✔️ Leadership lessons from policy to practice👤 About Our GuestKeith Smith is the Chief Executive of Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges. Prior to this role, he held senior leadership positions at the Department for Education, where he played a pivotal role in shaping national policy for the further education sector. He now leads one of the UK’s most forward-thinking college groups, with a focus on AI adoption, staff wellbeing, and system leadership. 🔗 Links & MentionsHarrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges: https://www.hruc.ac.ukMIT Industrial Liaison Program: https://ilp.mit.eduConnect with Keith Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-smith-1733b9140📬 Stay ConnectedFor updates, resources, and upcoming episodes, follow The AI Works Podcast and join the conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mkai-works