Social Mobility and AI – from the perspective of whether AI has the potential to help or hinder – is something I get asked to speak about a lot. Makes sense. I spend the less visible part of my day working with senior leaders at hyperscalers; helping to create content about Enterprise AI projects that transform the way in which we access services as both citizens and consumers.
But before we get carried away with whether AI will ‘level the playing field’ or put more hurdles in the way (digital poverty anyone?), it’s worth remembering that for many people, pre-AI technology is only just entering their lives. And can have an immediate and tangible impact.
Forget ‘AI’, let’s start with spellcheck
Take spellcheck. Available in ‘autocorrect’ since the noughties, it only recently entered the life of one of my brothers. Thing is, when you’re a forklift driver, you’re not spending time writing emails or reports. But if you want to move up to supervisor or manager, you need to get on board with those things. And if you’re worried about doing those things because you’re dyslexic (and you’ve never had the kind of job where you learn about spellcheck) you’re less likely to go for the promotion. The one you want so that you can earn more money to support your family. What do you do? Stay stuck and struggle or put your hand up and fear you’ll fail to make the grade…?
Luckily my brother and I are similar in that we’re not shy when it comes to putting ourselves forward. He applied for supervisor, got the job, and was astonished to discover the thing he was afraid of had been solved.
Spotlighting small and important stories
I don’t ever want us to lose this sense of the small and important stories. Technology is a tool. An enabler. But if it’s only ever looked at from a macro level or from the perspective of ‘doing things’ to entire groups of people, or only ever in the hands of those with the most to begin with, much of the reality is lost.
I took it for granted that everyone knew about spellcheck and autocorrect. Thought everyone had experience of sending emails. Believed almost everyone had probably used Word. Not so. I stood (auto)corrected.
Making AI and social mobility instantly relatable
If you like this sense of being able to discuss the bigger picture and view the tiny details through relatable stories, book me to speak. With experiences that include participating in intimate panels for some of the world’s biggest consulting firms, all the way up to being centre stage as host of the UK Social Mobility Awards, I bring a perspective and skills that spans generations thanks to my family’s mixed experiences of social mobility.
Testimonial from a recent social mobility and AI panel conversation
It was at a recent event where I was booked to be a panellist that I came to see just how much these precise examples, alongside being able to take an industry-wide view, helps bring the topic of social mobility and AI to life for audiences. Here’s a testimonial:
“It was a real pleasure to have you with us, and we thoroughly enjoyed hearing your perspective on AI and the opportunities it presents. Your reflections on how technology can be a powerful enabler were particularly thought-provoking. The example of growing up with tools like spell checkers, and how easily we can overlook the transformative impact of technologies once they become part of everyday life, was a powerful reminder of how innovation can quietly expand access and opportunity.”
Looking for a speaker on social mobility and AI?
AI and social mobility come up a lot when I’m on a panel, and it’s a topic I genuinely enjoy digging into with an audience. Take a look at what I cover as a speaker, or book me through one of the usual bureaus including Champions, Mix Diversity and PepTalk. No bureau? Get in touch directly instead.
To check out my profile on LinkedIn, where you’ll find frequent posts on all things Social Mobility, including more on Social Mobility and AI, visit: Toni Kent | LinkedIn
Image credit: Elevate (@elevatebeer) | Unsplash Photo Community