Beyond The Algorithm - The Podcast

Kahoot has been a classroom favourite for many years—but the platform has evolved far beyond the familiar live quiz.
In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn speaks with Jon, Growth Director for the UK and Ireland at Kahoot, about the changing role of educational technology and how Kahoot is developing to support teaching and learning.
Together, they explore how AI can help teachers create purposeful learning experiences, use assessment data to identify gaps in understanding and provide students with timely opportunities to revisit their learning. They also consider what meaningful engagement really looks like—and why excitement and participation do not necessarily mean that learning is taking place.
The conversation covers:
How Kahoot has developed beyond quizzes and games
The role of AI in creating purposeful learning experiences
Using data to understand student progress over time
Formative assessment, feedback and targeted intervention
The difference between participation and meaningful engagement
Why schools should begin with the educational problem, not the technology
The importance of involving teachers and students in EdTech decisions
Three practical suggestions for educators beginning to explore AI
Jon also shares why schools should resist chasing every new technological trend and instead choose tools that respond to the needs of their own learning communities.
A practical and thoughtful conversation about AI, EdTech and keeping learning at the centre of classroom innovation.
 

In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn Taylor is joined by Sam Marsh, Head of Events at the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA).
Sam explains how BESA represents and supports the UK education-supplies industry and introduces the EdTech Exchange: a free-to-join community designed to connect EdTech founders, encourage peer learning and reduce the isolation that can come with building and leading a business.
Together, Dawn and Sam explore five important shifts currently shaping the EdTech market:
The move from AI hype towards accountability and evidence
The growing importance of trust and transparency
The need to solve genuine educational problems
The difficult decisions founders face around investment, teams and product priorities
The effect of school budgets, limited capacity and increased procurement scrutiny
Sam also shares what founders can access through the EdTech Exchange, including online forums, practical workshops, regional ambassador support, industry insights and founder supper clubs.
Whether you are starting an EdTech business, developing an established organisation or working within education, this conversation offers valuable insight into the changing market and the importance of collaboration between suppliers and schools.
Find out more and get involved:
BESA website: We champion the UK’s trusted, quality educational suppliers - BESA
EdTech Exchange: https://www.besa.org.uk/join-us/as-part-of-edtech-exchange/
Join the LinkedIn community: EdTech Exchange - A BESA Initiative
Subscribe to the EdTech Exchange publication: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7483905448077672448
Upcoming events and workshops: Events - BESA
Connect with Samantha Marsh: Samantha Marsh | LinkedIn

Artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly. The next generation of AI isn't just about chatbots—it's about AI agents, local models, browser-based AI, and new ways of working, learning and creating.
In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn Taylor is joined by Isaac Pattis, AI Incubation Manager at Oxford University Press, to explore where AI is heading next and what these developments mean for education, innovation and the future of work.
In this episode we discuss:
AI Agents and Agentic AI
Vibe Coding vs Agentic Engineering
Running AI locally in browsers and on personal devices
Privacy-first AI and why it matters
The future of AI in education
AI literacy and AI metaliteracy
Why cognitive challenge still matters in an AI-enabled world
Lessons from Khan Academy and Duolingo
How educators can embrace AI without losing authentic learning
Whether you're an educator, school leader, researcher, developer or simply interested in the future of AI, this conversation offers practical insights into where the technology is heading and how we can ensure humans remain at the centre of learning.
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What happens when Artificial Intelligence can write essays, generate code, provide feedback, and create learning resources in seconds?
In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn Taylor is joined by Simon Balderson, Director of Innovation at Wishford Education, to explore the future of education in a world increasingly shaped by AI.
Together they discuss the impact of AI on teaching, learning, assessment, creativity, and the skills young people will need to thrive in the future. Simon shares insights from the AIxEI Conference, explores the rise of "vibe coding", and explains why creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence may become more valuable than ever.
The conversation also examines the future of assessment, the challenges facing exam boards, and how schools can begin making learning visible today rather than waiting for policy to catch up.
Whether you're a teacher, school leader, parent, researcher, or simply interested in the future of learning, this episode offers practical insights and thought-provoking ideas about where education is heading next.

In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn Taylor speaks with Martyn Collins, Festival Director of the rapidly growing Brilliant Festival, about the future of education, EdTech, AI, and industry collaboration.
Together, they explore why schools, educators, technology providers, and employers must work more closely to prepare young people for the future world of work — and why traditional education conferences and EdTech events are no longer enough.
Martyn shares the vision behind Brilliant Festival, why Liverpool and the North West are central to that vision, and how Brilliant is creating a unique space where education, industry, and technology genuinely connect.
The conversation also dives into:
AI and the future of teaching and learning
Why industry partnerships matter more than ever
The changing role of EdTech procurement in schools
Creativity, innovation, and STEAM education
Why teachers need hands-on experiences with technology
The future skills gap and curriculum evolution
How AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming workflows and creativity
A practical, thought-provoking, and inspiring conversation about building meaningful connections between schools, industry, and innovation.
📍 Exhibition Centre Liverpool📅 November 10, 2026🌐 brilliantfestival.com

In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn Taylor is joined by Andy Miah — Chair in Science Communication and Future Media at University of Salford — for a wide-ranging conversation exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on sport, media, education, trust, and the future of learning.
As the world prepares for a major summer of global sport, Andy explains how AI is already reshaping sports broadcasting, audience engagement, and digital media experiences. From AI-generated content and automated highlights to drone footage controversies and viral misinformation, the discussion examines how technology is changing the way people consume and interact with sport.
The conversation then turns to AI-generated influencers, authenticity, and the growing challenge of determining what can be trusted online. Drawing on his recent work investigating AI fitness influencers for the BBC, Andy explores why media literacy and AI literacy are rapidly becoming essential skills for modern life.
Together, Dawn and Andy discuss:
Why society may be underestimating the scale of AI-driven change
How AI is transforming sport, media, and communication
The rise of AI-generated influencers and digital identities
Why trust and authenticity are becoming increasingly complex
The role of schools and universities in developing AI literacy
How curriculum and assessment may need to evolve
Why metacognition and cognitive regulation matter more than ever
The risks of AI bypassing cognitive struggle rather than supporting learning
How educators can preserve authentic evidence of learning in the age of AI
A major focus of the episode is vibe coding — using natural language prompts to create software and digital tools without traditional programming expertise. Andy explains how AI-powered development platforms are democratising creation and enabling entirely new opportunities for non-technical innovators.
The episode also explores Dawn's work on AI meta-literacy, including how schools can develop a shared language between learners and AI systems that supports understanding, strengthens learner agency, and keeps human thinking at the centre of the learning process.
This is a thought-provoking discussion about the opportunities, tensions, and responsibilities emerging as AI becomes embedded in everyday life.
Listen if you're interested in AI, education, sport, media, innovation, digital culture, and what it means to remain human in an increasingly AI-mediated world.

In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn is joined by Victoria Hedlund, also known as The AI Bias Girl, for a powerful conversation about bias, fairness and the growing role of generative AI in education.
Victoria shares how her background in physics, teaching, research and STEM education led her to investigate how AI systems respond differently to learners based on gender and other assumptions. Together, Dawn and Victoria explore why AI bias is not just a technical issue, but a pedagogical, ethical and safeguarding concern for schools.
The conversation examines what happens when AI tools begin to act like tutors, how personalised outputs may reinforce stereotypes, and why children’s self-concept, confidence and future aspirations could be shaped by the answers AI gives them.
Together, they explore:
How AI bias can appear in explanations, stories, metaphors and images• Why generative AI should be held to higher standards in educational contexts• The risks of AI tutors reinforcing stereotypes or lowering expectations• Why bias in AI may be harder to spot than bias in human teaching• How personalised learning can create unequal learning pathways• The importance of teacher judgement, oversight and accountability• Why bias awareness should become part of AI literacy• Victoria’s research into gender bias in science explanations• Her work on AI bias, fairness and the Institute of AI Education
This episode is an important and timely discussion about what schools, teachers, EdTech companies and policymakers need to consider before AI becomes deeply embedded in teaching and learning.

The Future of EdTech: AI, Innovation and Literacy
Guests: Shaun Langevin, Renee Langevin & Michael Berry (Hosts of the ExplAInED Podcast)
In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn Taylor is joined by the hosts of the Explained podcast: Shaun Langevin, Renee Langevin, and Michael Berry. Together, they explore the evolving relationship between AI, EdTech, digital literacy, curriculum design, and the future of learning.
The conversation dives into the realities schools are facing as AI rapidly reshapes teaching and learning. From concerns about screen time and AI literacy to the importance of bias, reliability, and responsible implementation, this episode offers a thoughtful and honest discussion about what educators need to understand now.
The team also shares insights into:
The origins of the Explained podcast
AI adoption in schools across the United States
The growing backlash against EdTech and screen time
Why educational technology and passive screen use are not the same thing
AI literacy, digital citizenship, and critical thinking
How schools can begin using AI in low-friction, practical ways
The importance of teacher confidence and professional learning
Bias, reliability, and data privacy in generative AI
NotebookLM, Gemini Gems, and practical classroom applications
Supporting students to remain active thinkers in an AI-mediated world
Vermont’s AI Symposium and student-led innovation projects
Why schools must start talking openly with students about AI
Key Discussion Themes
EdTech vs Screen Time
The group discusses growing concerns in parts of the United States around educational technology and increasing attempts to limit student screen time. The conversation highlights the danger of conflating passive screen consumption with purposeful educational technology use.
AI Literacy and Curriculum
The discussion explores the challenge schools face in developing meaningful AI literacy approaches while educators themselves are still learning alongside students.
Responsible AI Use
The episode examines:
Bias and reliability in AI systems
Data privacy considerations
The importance of critical thinking
The need for verification and human judgement
Practical AI Integration
The guests share low-friction ways educators can begin engaging with AI safely and meaningfully, including:
AI-supported lesson reflection
Bias checking
NotebookLM workflows
Productivity and efficiency tools
AI-supported professional learning

AI is changing how knowledge is accessed, shaped, and trusted—but it isn’t neutral.
In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn speaks with Laura Knight—former teacher, strategist, and advisor—about the growing influence of algorithms on learning, behaviour, and decision-making.
They explore what sits beneath the surface of AI systems, why they don’t “find truth,” and how attention, data, and engagement are shaping the digital environments young people are growing up in.
This conversation moves beyond hype and fear to focus on what actually matters:
understanding how AI works
recognising its influence
and building the capacity to question it
From social media to generative AI, this episode challenges the idea that technology is simply a tool—and argues that without deliberate teaching, it can quietly shape thinking in ways we don’t always see.
Guest
Laura Knight is a former teacher with over 20 years’ experience in UK education. She now works across schools, universities, governments, and EdTech organisations as a strategist, speaker, and advisor, focusing on the effective and ethical use of AI and digital technology.

In this episode of Beyond the Algorithm, Dawn speaks with Al Kingsley MBE about AI, education, assessment, digital strategy, and the future of learning.
Together, they explore why AI should not be seen as a shortcut or threat, but as part of a wider conversation about curriculum, assessment, equity, skills, and human connection.
Al shares his perspective on government policy, exam reform, digital access, neurodiversity, data, bias, and the importance of co-production in shaping the future of education.
This conversation is about moving beyond hype and fear, and focusing instead on how AI can support learning, strengthen agency, and help education adapt to a changing world.
 
Key themes include:AI in schoolsAssessment and exam reformDigital equity and accessHuman skills and future employabilityNeurodiversity and inclusionAI bias and dataCurriculum changeThe Institute of AI Education