Powering Productivity and Growth: People, Jobs and AI

8:45am – 11am, 18 September 2026 ‐ 2 hours 15 mins

Event 1: Powering Productivity and Growth: People, Jobs and AI Sponsored by SES Technology

Businesses cannot improve productivity without the right people, skills and jobs. As work changes, organisations need to make informed choices about where to invest, how to support their workforce and when technology can add genuine value.

This session focuses on how the North East can build a workforce that is ready for the future.

As technology continues to change the nature of work, there is a growing need to balance technical capability with adaptability, creativity and strong workplace cultures. This is not just about skills provision, but about how organisations attract, develop and retain people in a way that supports long-term productivity.

The discussion will explore how businesses are responding in practice, including approaches to skills development, inclusive recruitment and employee wellbeing, alongside the role AI is beginning to play across different sectors.

AI will be considered in a practical sense: not just as a tool to improve efficiency, but as something that is changing how people work, solve problems and make decisions.

Sponsored by

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