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Why colleges must come together to shape the future of AI in further education 

27 January 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a “nice to have” for further education (FE). It is rapidly becoming foundational to how colleges deliver high-quality teaching, support learners, operate efficiently, and respond to the evolving needs of employers and communities. 

AI adoption in FE is complex, fast-moving and resource intensive. Technologies evolve quickly, and we are on the cusp of further disruption through physical AI – systems that interact with the physical world via robotics and automation. Vendor roadmaps shift with little notice. Staff need reassurance, clear governance, and meaningful professional development without being overwhelmed by constant change. Learners increasingly expect digital experiences comparable to the best of the commercial world. 

If AI is to deliver genuine value, we must move beyond isolated experimentation. We need systematic change, a shared understanding of our collective challenges, and agreement on how technology can best support us in addressing them. Ultimately, AI is not just a technical issue; it is a leadership challenge. 

The case for collective action 

FE has repeatedly shown itself to be resilient and adaptive. As a sector, we often argue that we should be trusted more and empowered to take greater responsibility and accountability for outcomes. AI represents one of those transformational moments where we can demonstrate that leadership in practice. 

When colleges act independently – exploring tools, piloting solutions, negotiating contracts, and developing training – the result is duplication, inefficiency, and wasted capacity. In a sector already under pressure, this approach is neither sustainable nor strategic. It risks deepening inequalities between the “haves” and the “have nots” and positions colleges as strong organisational leaders rather than system leaders. FE has an opportunity to be seen as a sector that leads from the front and plays its part in shaping the future. 

Collaboration offers a powerful alternative. What has already been tested and proven in one institution can become a shared blueprint for others, saving time, money, and effort across the system. Working together enables the sector to raise its own standards rather than relying on external direction. 

Crucially, collaboration accelerates workforce confidence as well as capability. Staff do not just need access to new technology; they need reassurance, training, and confidence to use AI responsibly and effectively. Shared learning resources, peer networks, and communities of practice ensure progress is not limited to the best-resourced colleges but is accessible across the sector. 

Collective action also supports long-term sustainability. AI is not a time-limited project; it is a capability that must be embedded into how colleges operate. Working together builds shared maturity, resilience, and readiness for what comes next. By sharing insight and innovation, colleges can redesign processes, learner journeys, and operating models in ways that are simply not possible in isolation. This is how the sector moves from small-scale experimentation to meaningful transformation. 

Understanding the challenges we share 

Before rushing to solutions, we must be honest about the challenges colleges face. Across FE, these challenges are remarkably consistent. 

Operational inefficiencies remain widespread, with many colleges reliant on manual or fragmented processes across admissions, curriculum planning, timetabling, safeguarding, and learner support. AI has significant potential here, but only where processes are clearly understood and data is trusted and well governed. 

At the same time, staff workload and burnout continue to rise. Teachers and professional services teams are under constant pressure to do more with less. Used well, AI copilots, workflow automation, content generation, and assessment support can significantly reduce administrative burden, freeing up time for meaningful engagement with learners. 

Learner engagement and personalisation are becoming increasingly critical. Today’s students expect digital-first, responsive experiences tailored to their individual needs. AI creates opportunities to personalise learning pathways, provide consistent support, and gain better insight into student progress, risk, and wellbeing. 

Underlying all of this is the challenge of data maturity and system interoperability. AI is only as effective as the data that underpins it. Many colleges still operate legacy systems and siloed datasets. Through collaboration, the sector can share best practice on data governance, integration, and digital architecture, accelerating progress for everyone. Agreeing a collective way forward would represent true system leadership and lay the foundations for long-term change. 

How technology can enable systematic change 

Shared standards and collective design can support more unified digital learner journeys, improving recruitment, retention, progression, and outcomes. AI-driven insight can enable more intelligent curriculum and workforce planning, helping colleges respond to local and national skills needs. 

Technology can also simplify some of the most complex and time-consuming aspects of college operations. Automated compliance and reporting can reduce risk, improve accuracy, and release valuable staff capacity. At the learner level, adaptive learning tools and predictive analytics can support earlier, more targeted interventions, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged learners. 

Collective working strengthens the sector’s influence. Through shared leadership, coordinated engagement with suppliers, and collective procurement, colleges can shape how AI tools are developed, ensuring they meet the real needs of FE rather than forcing colleges to adapt to generic solutions. 

More fundamentally, this is an opportunity to put the system before the organisation. It requires us to be bold, to accept uncertainty, and to trust that decisions made together can achieve impact at a scale not possible alone. Strong leadership, supported by our boards, will be essential in defining the role each of us plays in building the future system. 

Colleges are strong individually, but together we can demonstrate to policymakers how systems can be improved and transformed – if only they trust us to do it. 

Let’s build the future of AI in further education together. 

Keith Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC)

This blog forms part of the AoC and Ufi Strategic Partnership project: Empowering FE: enhancing skills with… | Association of Colleges. Next week, we will be hosting a digital summit that brings together colleges and key sector stakeholders, including Jisc, to explore the challenges raised in this blog and to build on the important work already happening across the sector. This includes resources such as:

Look out for further announcements of partnership work soon, including AoC and Ufi’s plans for celebrating the Week of VocTech, taking place 16–20 March 2026.