Skip to content
14 August 2026

AI is our industrial revolution and FE must lead it

The workplace is changing faster than the curriculum. FE must make AI literacy a core skill
James Cook Guest Contributor

Head of digital & IT, City College Plymouth

4 min read
|
Artificial Intelligence Integration Concept - AI Ethics and Control, Cognitive Enhancement, Neural Technology, Human Machine Collaboration, Future Intelligence and Digital Mind Upgrade

Some compare AI to the arrival of the internet, smartphones or cloud. I’m not convinced those comparisons go far enough. AI represents something bigger. In fact, I think we’re witnessing the biggest true revolution of the Information Age.

When we look back at the industrial revolution, we see a period where machines took on tasks that had previously relied on human labour. Industries evolved and workers had to develop new skills to remain relevant in a changing economy.

Importantly, society didn’t respond by pretending the machines didn’t exist. We taught people how to operate them.

Become a member for unlimited access to FE Week

subscribe

Our members enjoy early access to exclusive content and in-depth articles before anyone else. Get expert journalism on FE and skills, experience fewer ads, and unlock a growing range of member benefits.

Share

Explore more on these topics

No Comments

Browse more news