Event 1: Powering Productivity and Growth: People, Jobs and AI
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.
