Humans and Wizards: Using AI to Good Effect

This session explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and human‑centred careers practice, focusing on how AI can be harnessed responsibly to enhance careers, employability, and enterprise development. Participants will examine practical ways in which AI can enrich information, advice, and guidance (IAG) for young people and adults, while ensuring that ethical principles and human connection remain at the core of practice. The emphasis is on using AI as a complement to professional expertise, not a replacement, and on equipping practitioners with the confidence to integrate digital innovation into their work.

The session will showcase at least two AI tools currently being applied in education, employability, and enterprise contexts. Examples will stimulate discussion on what kind of assessment protocols the career development sector might accept for evaluating careers information, advice, and guidance powered by AI and large language models (LLMs). Participants will critically assess both the opportunities and challenges of AI applications, considering issues such as bias, data privacy, and the importance of maintaining trust and empathy in professional relationships.

 Looking ahead, the session will encourage reflection on the future implications of hybrid AI and human careers support services. Participants will explore scenarios for how guidance practice may evolve, including the potential for AI to support lifelong learning, green skills and inclusive access to opportunities. The discussion will emphasise the need for practitioners to remain adaptable, AI literate, and proactive in shaping ethical frameworks and protocols for AI to be used to good effect.

Key Learning Outcomes

1. Evaluate current AI tools in practice - Identify and assess AI applications already being used in education and employability settings and reflect on an assessment protocol to evaluate AI-powered careers support tools operating alone and/or in tandem with human advisers. 

2. Address ethical and professional considerations - Develop increased awareness of issues such as bias, privacy, and the importance of empathy and trust in career development practice.

3. Reflect on future implications for career development services - Consider how AI may reshape professional practice, policy and research, including lifelong learning, inclusion, and sustainability, drawing on lessons learned from Canada, the UK and other countries.

4. Strengthen practitioner and sector-wide adaptability and AI literacy - Build confidence in integrating AI responsibly while anticipating shifts in education, employability, the skills economy, and evolving workforce needs, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background or circumstance, are supported in their search for meaningful learning and work.

Presenter - Associate Professor Deirdre Hughes OBE

Deirdre Hughes OBE is an international expert in careers, employment, and skills policy. She is Founding Director of CareerChat UK, an innovative AI chatbot company supporting career exploration for young people and adults. At the University of Warwick’s Institute for Employment Research (IER), she contributes to advancing evidence-based practice, including a two-year Nuffield Foundation sponsored research project 'Trialling an assessment protocol for LLM-powered careers advice' with Dickinson and Percy. For a decade, was the Founding Director of the International Centre for Guidance Studies (iCeGs) at the University of Derby (1998-2008). Deirdre serves as a Vice-President of the International Association for Vocational and Educational Guidance (IAEVG). She Co-Edited three Routledge books in 2024 and was Co-Editor of the British Journal for Guidance and Counselling - International Symposia Series (2015–2021). In 2012, she received an OBE from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to European lifelong guidance.

This webinar forms part of the CICA International Webinar Series February Free Month, offering free access to contemporary global perspectives in career development throughout February.