With urgency and clarity, Laura Bates joined Samantha Booth to confront the growing impact of online misogyny on young people. The conversation unpacked algorithmic bias, harmful digital narratives, and the real pressures students face online, equipping educators with practical strategies to strengthen digital literacy, foster empathy, and build safer, more inclusive school communities.

This hands-on Tech User Lab demonstrated how offline AI classrooms could deliver powerful, interactive learning anywhere. Using robotics, on-device AI and portable classroom technology, participants explored how to enable assessment, interactivity and personalised support even in low- or no-connectivity environments, showing how scalable and affordable solutions could transform learning in under-resourced settings.

Real-world results took centre stage as Durham University shared how they have successfully used AI-powered chatbots to transform student and staff support. IT leaders revealed how smarter content design helped cut response times, streamline enrolment and IT queries, and freed teams to focus on more complex work - offering a compelling model for efficient support across higher education.

Joyful learning was the focus as Jo Jackson demonstrated playful, inclusive ways to support low-literacy learners. By weaving together phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension through character-led resources, games, and AI tools, the session left educators inspired with practical ideas to make literacy accessible, engaging, and effective for every learner.

Around the table, honest and thoughtful debate emerged on what healthy screentime really looks like in a digital world. Educators and stakeholders shared lived experiences around balancing learning and leisure, classroom screen use, and collaboration with parents and carers - opening up meaningful conversations about wellbeing and the real social impact of screens on young people.

Challenging traditional views of learning, Kalam Neale explored how esports was being used as a powerful digital strategy to engage every learner. Led by the British Esports Federation, the session highlighted best practice from across the sector and demonstrated how esports could enhance pedagogy, inclusion and whole-school transformation and influence the future of teaching, learning and digital education policy.

In this lively session, students explored how to spot fake news, misinformation and AI-generated content in today’s digital world. BBC presenters Shereen Cutkelvin and De-Graft Mensah built curiosity and critical thinking through practical tips, real examples and a fast-paced live edition of the popular AI or Real quiz.

Leaders from Ofsted’s Inclusive Education team shared key insights into the renewed inspection framework, with a strong focus on SEND and inclusion. Drawing on early inspection experiences, they explained how inclusion looked in practice, how school context was considered and offered practical advice through a live Q&A for both mainstream and special schools.

This lively TableTalk sparked open, practical discussions on how educators could be better supported in their professional development. Participants shared ideas on building tech confidence, accessing the right tools and resources, overcoming barriers to learning and making time for meaningful personal development. We love creating this energetic space for honest conversation, shared challenges and fresh inspiration!

A powerful, peer-driven exchange that filled the room with honesty, momentum, and connection. Women from across education and EdTech, joined by allies, came together for bold, action-oriented dialogue led by inspiring female industry leaders. Real stories, practical tactics, and hard-won lessons flowed freely, sparking collaboration and equipping attendees to challenge barriers and accelerate change across the sector.

A fast-paced, future-focused panel that united global policymakers and education leaders to reimagine what quality means in digital learning. Drawing on policy, research, and innovation, the conversation cut straight to the issues of trust, standards, and the critical role of universities, delivering clear, authoritative perspectives on building smarter, fairer systems and stronger EdTech at scale.

Lively, candid, and highly interactive, this debate ignited the room as educators confronted the urgent realities of absenteeism and disengagement. Voices from across the sector challenged assumptions, shared frontline experiences, and examined early intervention, safety, bullying, and trust - creating a charged, peer-led discussion that put student wellbeing and school governance firmly under the spotlight.

Professor Hannah Fry and Amol Rajan sparked an energising conversation on how AI is reshaping learning and society, blending bold ideas with sharp insight. They challenged assumptions and raised big questions about skills, ethics and human intelligence. The session left the audience rethinking the future of education in an AI-powered world.

This hands-on workshop brought AI creativity to life, showing educators how to design engaging, student-centred learning with Microsoft’s AI tools. Participants explored practical ways to personalise learning, streamline feedback and boost collaboration, leaving with ready-to-use resources and a clear roadmap to scale AI confidently and equitably.

This morning on The Arena stage, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson called for AI to be embraced as a purposeful tool to transform learning - not just another screen. Backed by £23 million, a new pilot will see 1,000+ schools trial AI tools to support SEND pupils, cut workload and personalise learning. It’s a clear message to the Bett community: innovate responsibly, prove your impact, and help shape a smarter, more inclusive future.