CDI Wales Forum: AI in Wales: Skills, Practice and Workforce Change
This interactive online event brings together expert speakers from Welsh Government, higher education and Careers Wales to explore the opportunities, challenges and practical realities of AI adoption across our sector.
Free to attend for CDI members
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Date
14 Oct 2026 -
Time
01:30 PM -
Duration
2 hour(s) -
Venue
Zoom -
Contact
Speakers:
Emma Escott and Isobel Bowen, Welsh Government Office for AI.
Emma and Isobel will introduce the Welsh Government’s new National AI Governance Framework, sharing how it was developed through extensive collaboration with key stakeholder groups and iterative testing across the public sector. They will outline the framework’s purpose, scope and practical implications for organisations, including leadership responsibilities, governance expectations and the workforce capabilities needed for responsible AI adoption. They will also explore insights from trade union consultations and social partnership engagement, highlight emerging workforce implications across Welsh public services, and examine the culture shift required to move beyond stigma around AI use. The session will include a forward look at upcoming developments in AI governance and workforce planning.
Dr Tom Staunton, International Centre for Guidance Studies, University of Derby.
Tom will explore how AI is reshaping career development practice and professional identity. Drawing on his doctoral research into how students use technology during career transitions, he will examine how clients are already incorporating digital tools — including AI — into their decision‑making, and what this means for guidance professionals. He will discuss emerging ethical and professional considerations, and share examples of how AI can support practice, such as client note‑taking and reflective work. Tom’s session will help practitioners and leaders understand how AI fits within wider digital career ecosystems.
Steve Gurnell, Careers Wales
Steve will share practical insights from Careers Wales’ AI and Copilot journey, outlining how AI is being adopted to enhance service delivery, improve efficiency and support advisers in their day‑to‑day work. He will discuss how staff engagement with AI has evolved, the organisational conditions that have enabled successful adoption, and the lessons learned from four innovative pilots and other day-to-day benefits of AI applications. Steve’s session will provide real‑world examples of how AI is already making a difference for customers and practitioners in Wales.
Why attend
This forum offers an opportunity to:
Emma Escott and Isobel Bowen, Welsh Government Office for AI.
Emma and Isobel will introduce the Welsh Government’s new National AI Governance Framework, sharing how it was developed through extensive collaboration with key stakeholder groups and iterative testing across the public sector. They will outline the framework’s purpose, scope and practical implications for organisations, including leadership responsibilities, governance expectations and the workforce capabilities needed for responsible AI adoption. They will also explore insights from trade union consultations and social partnership engagement, highlight emerging workforce implications across Welsh public services, and examine the culture shift required to move beyond stigma around AI use. The session will include a forward look at upcoming developments in AI governance and workforce planning.
Dr Tom Staunton, International Centre for Guidance Studies, University of Derby.
Tom will explore how AI is reshaping career development practice and professional identity. Drawing on his doctoral research into how students use technology during career transitions, he will examine how clients are already incorporating digital tools — including AI — into their decision‑making, and what this means for guidance professionals. He will discuss emerging ethical and professional considerations, and share examples of how AI can support practice, such as client note‑taking and reflective work. Tom’s session will help practitioners and leaders understand how AI fits within wider digital career ecosystems.
Steve Gurnell, Careers Wales
Steve will share practical insights from Careers Wales’ AI and Copilot journey, outlining how AI is being adopted to enhance service delivery, improve efficiency and support advisers in their day‑to‑day work. He will discuss how staff engagement with AI has evolved, the organisational conditions that have enabled successful adoption, and the lessons learned from four innovative pilots and other day-to-day benefits of AI applications. Steve’s session will provide real‑world examples of how AI is already making a difference for customers and practitioners in Wales.
Why attend
This forum offers an opportunity to:
- Understand how AI is shaping career development and service delivery
- Hear practical examples from organisations already implementing AI
- Explore implications for workforce planning, governance and professional practice
- Consider emerging ethical, cultural and organisational questions
- Exchange experiences, questions and ideas with colleagues from across Wales
Many colleagues have already registered, and we’re looking forward to a rich discussion. If you need any further information about the event, please feel free to get in touch with CDI Wales Associate Alistair Pitt directly via email: directly via email: [email protected]
This event supports the following CPD competencies:
- Career-Related Policy and Practice
- Networking and Partnerships
- Professional Practice, Values, and Ethics