The Innovators
Their Mission #AI 4 ALL
The Innovators are a group of 8 Living Bankside Academy students who are passionate and interested in AI, tech, and innovation.
Over the Summer of 2024, they visited and learnt from over 20+ global and national companies /organisations.
Ai and evolving technologies are the future and ‘The innovators’ believe that their use should be available to all regardless of their background or ability.
That’s why they want to show people through interactive workshops (Using Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Teachable Machines, Chat GPT and much more) how they can improve their lives through Ai and evolving technologies.
To bring their mission to life they are currently looking for support in the following ways:
open plan spaces to host the workshops (pro bono)
sponsorship/donations to purchase equipment, refreshments and to pay for workshop coordinator(s) time. Click here to Donate
support with creating advertising material and promoting the workshops
Volunteering at the workshops
support with evaluation and impact measurement
Short Film
Check out the promotional short film they have created whilst on the Our Futures Programme.
As well as furthering their knowledge in the field of Ai, Tech and Innovation, ‘The Innovators’ were tasked with creating a short film to promote the initiative/project they were tasked with developing as part of the Our Futures Programme.
This helped them develop crucial skills such as filming, video editing, and storyboarding.
The Innovators’ Journey
Workshops within the 2024 ‘Our Futures’ programme
Steve Does Tours
Steve Does Tours led the Innovators on an engaging journey through Bankside, revealing how creativity and innovation have profoundly shaped the area's development.
They uncovered hidden gems where technology seamlessly merges with history, illustrating how tech-driven solutions have enhanced the community and transformed everyday experiences.
This insightful exploration sparked ideas among the Innovators about how AI and technology could further contribute to local progress.
The tour provided a unique perspective on Bankside's dynamic evolution, highlighting its embrace of cutting-edge advancements.
Borough Market
The Innovators indulged in an exploration at Borough Market, sampling exquisite cheeses from The Trethowan Brothers and a diverse selection of nuts from Food and Forest.
Beyond the delicious produce, they gained valuable insights into how technology is pivotal in optimising the market's security and communication infrastructure.
The visit offered a comprehensive understanding of the intricate logistics involved in managing one of the UK's most beloved and vibrant markets.
They learned how digital solutions ensure smooth operations, from managing vendors to engaging visitors.
Mindshare
At Mindshare, the Innovators delved into the exciting world of marketing and advertising, specifically through the powerful lens of AI.
They enjoyed a hands-on workshop, collaborating with the Mindshare team to design a captivating ad campaign for Halloween sweets.
This practical experience illuminated diverse applications of AI, including leveraging prompts and specialized apps for creative content generation.
Mindshare showcased how AI is revolutionizing creative industries, making campaigns more targeted and engaging.
Chatham House
The Innovators' insightful stop at Chatham House provided a deep dive into its rich history, global mission, and the renowned Chatham House Rule.
They participated in a stimulating debate that critically examined the societal and democratic implications of technology and AI.
This engaging discussion fostered crucial critical thinking about the complex ethical challenges inherent in rapid tech innovation.
Chatham House offered a unique platform for grappling with some of the most pressing questions of our digital age.
King’s College London
At King's College London (KCL), the Innovators participated in a highly interactive session, exploring categorisation using teachable machines.
They gained hands-on experience creating, training, and testing their own AI models, providing a practical introduction to machine learning.
The visit also included an engaging tour of the university's impressive facilities and rich historical sites.
Current KCL students shared their personal experiences, offering valuable insights into academic life and the journey of pursuing higher education.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Workshop
The Innovators engaged with Damien Cheetham, a local VR and AR expert, who introduced them to the transformative ZAPPER app, showcasing how AR technology can bring images and text to life.
Damien shared captivating stories from his extensive career in immersive theatre and hospitality, including his recent work at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Inspired by his insights, the students explored practical ways to incorporate VR and AR into their own interactive workshops.
Their goal was to make technology accessible and engaging for people of all backgrounds and abilities, demonstrating the power of immersive experiences for learning.
Bloomberg
The Innovators explored Bloomberg's impressive and sustainable headquarters, gaining insights into their diverse professional services spanning Finance, Technology, Media, and Research.
They discovered how AI and advanced technology are seamlessly integrated throughout the building's infrastructure and across Bloomberg's various offerings.
A highlight was touring Bloomberg's state-of-the-art TV studios, offering a glimpse into media production.
The group also enjoyed the on-site museum, which proudly displays fascinating Roman artifacts unearthed during the building's construction.
Lancaster House / UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
At Lancaster House, the Innovators embarked on an insightful tour, gaining a unique perspective on the critical role of AI, technology, and innovation within government operations and high-level diplomatic events.
They learned how digital tools support policy-making and international relations.
A particular highlight was visiting the iconic rooms that have served as filming locations for renowned productions like The Crown and Bridgerton.
This offered a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a historic venue that seamlessly blends tradition with modern strategic importance
GiffGaff
At Giffgaff, the Innovators participated in an engaging deep-dive session, exploring how Machine Learning and Generative AI are actively shaping the future of employment.
They engaged in lively discussions about potential career paths within the burgeoning tech sector, gaining insights into the increasing demand for digital skills.
The Giffgaff team generously shared their inspiring personal career journeys, offering valuable guidance and real-world perspectives.
To make the visit even more memorable, GiffGaff generously organised an exciting quiz, and a refurbished iPhone 12 was awarded to the lucky winner.
Live Group
The Innovators discovered how Live Group harnesses technology and AI to create profoundly engaging and insightful events.
They were challenged to explore innovative, tech-driven solutions designed to accommodate diverse attendee personalities and preferences.
This session focused on enhancing audience experiences through thoughtful digital engagement and personalised interactions.
Live Group demonstrated how AI can transform event planning, making every gathering more inclusive, dynamic, and memorable.
Tate Modern
The Innovators delved into Tate Modern’s media networks collection, encountering iconic artworks by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Cildo Meireles.
They engaged in thoughtful discussions about the profound emotional impact of these pieces and how each represented technology, AI, and innovation across different decades and cultures.
From abstract sculptures to vibrant imagery, the diverse displays sparked inspiration among the students.
Tate Modern provided a compelling canvas for exploring the evolving relationship between art and technology.
Grey
The Innovators gained a profound insight into Grey's creative design process, understanding the significant and growing role of AI within the advertising industry.
They explored various forms of Creative Tech, including its innovative applications in music videos, the Metaverse, and immersive sensory projects.
These examples highlighted how cutting-edge methods engage diverse audiences and create memorable experiences.
The students particularly enjoyed the practical task of developing their own campaign, specifically aimed at making creative tech careers more accessible to young people.
PwC
At PwC, the Innovators participated in an interactive session exploring the firm's pivotal role in emerging technology, discovering how PwC leverages powerful tools to support client business development.
The workshop featured an insightful introduction to various new technologies and an inspiring fireside chat on career journeys and personal branding.
They gained practical knowledge on effectively utilising AI and engaged in a hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology which solidified their understanding of PwC's innovative approach.
This comprehensive session provided a holistic view of technology's impact in the professional world.
TP Bennet
At TP Bennett, the Innovators learned about the significant role technology and innovation play in modern architecture.
They explored the crucial intersection between sustainability and design, specifically how architectural solutions can actively contribute to tackling climate change.
The group enjoyed sketching their dream homes and then transforming these designs into detailed visuals using Midjourney, a generative AI tool.
Working collaboratively, they also constructed their own sustainable architectural models, seamlessly blending artistic creativity with practical innovation.
Shakespeare’s Globe
At Shakespeare's Globe, the Innovators discovered how authenticity and tradition are thoughtfully balanced with cutti modern innovation.
They explored how AI and technology subtly enhance various elements of performances, including sophisticated lighting, immersive sound, and dynamic set design.
This careful integration enriches the audience experience without sacrificing the theatre’s timeless, historical atmosphere.
The students were inspired by this demonstration, recognising how tech-driven advancements can elevate artistic presentations while respecting cultural heritage.
Fabrix
The Innovators visited Fabrix at The Bottle Factory, discovering how the company revitalises historic sites and fosters strong collaborations with local communities.
They explored London’s rich gin heritage at Thames Distillers Ltd and enjoyed an engaging art exhibition by OHSH.
The tour continued with a look at Hey Coffee’s upcoming HQ, showcasing a blend of commerce and creativity.
The visit concluded with an insightful photography and videography workshop, highlighting innovative applications of AI in visual storytelling.
Fabrix offered an example of urban renewal powered by community engagement and technological integration.
JP Morgan
At JP Morgan, the Innovators delved into the practical application of Machine Learning and AI within the intricate financial and corporate industries.
The group gained hands-on experience experimenting with neural networks, deepening their understanding of categorisation, sector-specific applications, and the technology’s inherent limitations.
The session provided invaluable insights into leveraging AI with HTML, JavaScript, Python, and other programming languages.
This comprehensive exploration inspired the students with innovative ideas for their upcoming celebration event and legacy project, AI4All, demonstrating AI's vast potential.
At the final event, The Innovators presented key learnings and insights gathered from various company workshops attended throughout the programme. They also showcased the short film they created to highlight and promote the theme of AI, technology, and innovation.