We’re living through a time of extraordinary transformation. The pace of technological and business change is accelerating - and with it, so are the ways we work, learn, and grow.
One thing is clear: standing still is no longer an option. The systems we’ve relied on for decades must evolve to meet the demands of a fast-moving, AI-driven world.In a recent conversation with David Treat, Chief Technology Officer at Pearson, we explored how AI is creating new possibilities for education, career development, and the future of skills. His insights offered a powerful vision of what’s next and a clear vision on how to lead with purpose in this new era.
David outlined four key areas where AI is making a meaningful impact at Pearson. Here’s what you need to know and why it matters.
1. AI for Internal Operations
AI is already delivering real value inside organisations: automating routine tasks, enhancing customer support, and accelerating content creation.
But the deeper story is about empowering people.
As David points out, “The use of AI to get us out of that legacy technology debt is going to be material because then we can focus on the new.”
It’s a progressive shift. Less time spent maintaining outdated systems, more time spent building the future. For leaders and teams alike, AI becomes a partner in creativity, freeing them to focus on what matters most.
2. AI for Customer Experience & Learning
The future of AI in education is deeply personal. Learners today want more than convenience. They want support that meets them exactly where they are, both in life and in learning.
AI opens the doors to truly personalised experiences: learning that fits seamlessly into your day, adapts to your needs in real-time, and feels deeply personal to your goals. It’s education that feels like it was made just for you.
As David nicely puts it, “It unlocks a whole new level of engagement and comfort with learning.”
That’s the premise of AI-powered education: not just faster or cheaper, but more human, more supportive, and ultimately more effective.
3. AI for Tech Modernisation
Innovation often gets stuck behind legacy infrastructure. AI is breaking those barriers because tech shouldn’t hold you back, but quite the opposite. It’s helping teams automate the time-consuming tasks, like code documentation, generating unit tests, or even translating legacy code, so they can move faster and with less burnout.
David says, “I would much rather focus on the development of new products and doing new, interesting things than working out of the old.”
We couldn’t agree more here at Cambridge Spark. AI is not just a tech update. It’s a shift towards agility and momentum.
4. AI for the Future of Skills
This one hits close to home. Because perhaps the most profound impact of AI is in how it’s changing the very nature of what it means to learn.
David Treat offers a powerful insight into this shift in AI and learning.
He explains, “We’re pivoting the whole system and the mindset from ‘learn to test,’ I'm learning so that I can pass the test, to ‘learn to learn,’ because it's not going to stop after the test. The testing is super important. being able to prove that you know something and have a qualification that will not diminish that will be maybe even more important in the age of AI.
But really, the insight is that it can't stop. I'm three decades into my career. I think I'm learning more and faster now than I ever have before because I have to.”
In the age of AI, learning never stops. And that’s not a burden, it’s a superpower. But only if we create the right tools, systems, and support to help people grow continuously and confidently.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Trusted Partners
As we navigate this new era of AI and learning, one truth stands out: no one can do it alone.
Upskilling your people is a vital component in any organisation’s AI journey. And it’s where trusted partners like Cambridge Spark make a difference.
Our tailored programmes are built to meet your organisation where it is, and take it further. Whether you’re empowering your workforce with new skills, modernising your tech, or rethinking how learning happens in your organisation, we’re here to help you lead with confidence in an AI-driven world.