Preparing Schools for an AI-Driven World: What’s Coming and How to Make the Most of It

In this episode, James Connolly, Howden’s Head of AI & Advanced Analytics and soon-to-be Chief Data Officer for Reinsurance, cuts through the AI hype with practical lessons schools can use now. Drawing on policing and insurance, James shows how to spot patterns early, manage risk sensibly, and build a responsible data culture where technology supports people, not replaces them. We unpack emerging liabilities, hidden data flows, and ethical blind spots that can catch schools out; and set out simple steps to navigate them with confidence. You’ll take away: how to ask the right questions about how you use AI; the basics of safe data governance; low-risk use cases that reduce workload; red-flag risks to escalate; and a realistic first 12-month outline plan for AI adoption.