Post by Beam

Most conversations about AI start with “What jobs will it take?” At yesterday’s IEP Summit, Sarah O'Connor argued that this is the wrong question. She challenged the idea of AI as an unstoppable “tsunami” sweeping through the labour market, because it lets people off the hook. If change is inevitable, nobody has to take responsibility for how it unfolds. That question of responsibility sits at the heart of how we think about AI at Beam. 👨‍💻 Alex Stephany joined the panel to share our view that AI shouldn’t replace human expertise, but give advisers more time for the conversations that change people’s lives and help them into work. It was brilliant to hear Nick Riddle from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) alongside Ayden Sims FIEP and Liz Sewell FIEP also discuss the future direction of employment support, a conversation the sector really needed to have. And the ideas kept flowing afterwards at the drinks reception Beam sponsored, bringing people from across the sector together to share ideas. Thanks to Scott Parkin FIEP and the The Institute of Employability Professionals team for a brilliant day. Already looking forward to the next one. #IEPSummit2026 #Employability #IEPCommunity #FutureOfWork