Newcastle College University Centre has concluded its landmark two‑day conference, Generation North East: Building Tomorrow’s AI Workforce Today, marking a major moment for the region’s ambition to lead in artificial intelligence, digital innovation and future skills development.
The event brought together business leaders, educators, policymakers, and tech experts to explore how AI can drive growth, transform industries and reshape education across the North East.
Across both days, delegates engaged in keynote speeches, panel discussions, masterclasses and case studies delivered by some of the region’s most influential voices in AI. Sessions examined the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption, the future workforce pipeline, and the technical skills needed to support sustained economic growth in the newly designated North East AI Growth Zone.
Central to the conference was a shared commitment to strengthening partnerships between employers and education providers, highlighting how collaboration is essential to building an AI‑ready workforce.
Jon Ridley, Principal of Newcastle College and Newcastle College University Centre, reflected on the College’s civic role as an anchor institution and its responsibility to deliver innovation, embed AI into curriculum design, and support the economic wellbeing of the region.
He said: “This conference has demonstrated the power of bringing education, industry, and civic partners together with a shared commitment to shaping the region’s future workforce. Newcastle College University Centre students graduate work-ready. They hone their skills with emerging technologies, working with business on live briefs experiencing the expectations of the workplace.
“We encourage students to challenge the boundaries of their skills and knowledge, developing courage to innovate and confidence to thrive in an AI-enabled economy. At Newcastle College University Centre, we champion innovation and create opportunities that drive growth, inclusion and long-term prosperity for our region.”
The event showcased real examples of how industry and education can work hand‑in‑hand to ensure learners graduate with the cutting‑edge, industry‑led skills needed to support business growth and competitiveness.
Keynotes and panel sessions featured leaders from across the AI ecosystem and within NCG, the national college group that Newcastle College is part of. Speakers included:
- Dame Chi Onwurah - MP Newcastle Central and West
- Ruth Harrison - Global Industry Lead, Avanade
- Scott Mulholland - Chief Information, Data and Estates Officer, NCG
- Paul Graham – Senior Solutions Architect, NVIDIA
- Paul Wealls - Principal Consultant AI Growth Zone Taskforce, Lenovo
- Jen Hartley MBE - Assistant Director Capital Investment and Growth, Newcastle City Council
- Jade Hill - Offensive Security Specialist, Sage
- Mark Jose - Director of Consulting, Hedgehog Lab
- Paul Farrow - Head of IT Service, HM Treasury
- Steve Grainger - Managing Director, Engima-Interactive
The conference also highlighted practical AI adoption through case studies from Opencast, Sage, and other regional innovators.
Lisa Ewens, SVP of Small Businesses and Accountants at Sage, delivered a case study on Day one of the event, talking about how AI can transform local businesses.
Speaking after her session, she said: “It’s been fantastic to showcase how AI can help businesses become more efficient and effective, while highlighting the incredible innovation we’re seeing across the North East.
“Sage has more than 2,000 colleagues in Newcastle, including 500 engineers who are pioneering the use of AI. Events like this play a vital role in developing emerging talent, and every year we bring in graduates, interns and apprentices who are ready to help us think differently. Keeping people at the heart of technology is essential, and it’s inspiring to see so many organisations coming together to explore how AI can elevate - not replace - the work people do.”
Day two of the conference centred on the skills needed to support an AI‑powered future, with masterclasses covering:
- AI‑led digital strategy
- Cybersecurity and LLM vulnerabilities
- Immersive technology and AI integration
- Career Futures Lab and emerging education pathways
- Practical approaches for scaling AI adoption in business
These sessions emphasised not only the importance of technical proficiency, but also the critical need for adaptable, future‑ready talent pipelines.
The event was supported by headline sponsors Lenovo and NVIDIA, with additional sponsorship from regional leaders Enigma, Hedgehog Lab, HTG and Sage. Their involvement underscores the importance of industry partnership in shaping the region’s AI vision, and the shared belief that the North East is primed to lead on innovation, productivity and future skills.
The closing panel, involving experts from across the AI Growth Zone Task Force, reinforced a powerful message: the North East has the talent, capability and ambition to become a UK leader in AI‑enabled economic growth. As the region prepares for increased investment and thousands of new jobs, Newcastle College and Newcastle College University Centre will continue to play a central role in preparing the workforce of the future.