Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
National AI Day is the 16th July 2026, and so in this artificial intelligence-themed episode we look at the history of AI - where it came from and how long it's been around for (you'll be amazed!), its current uses and benefits, the pros and cons and we delve into how AI works, learns and grows in the future.
Mike Richards and Paul Piwek are both senior lecturers in computing and communications, with their own specialist areas of AI expertise, and so we spoke to them both to celebrate National AI day and OpenLearn's own AI Hub, in partnership with Microsoft, links to which are below...
Transcript: media-podcast.open.ac.uk/feeds/3998_youtubeuploadsfriday/20260715T103725_Ep_11_AI_with_Dr_Paul_Piwek_and_Mike_Richards.pdf
Visit OpenLearn's AI Hub, created in partnership with Microsoft, for free courses, articles and more on artificial intelligence. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/digital-computing/ai-hub
Study a free course on AI Fluency https://www.open.edu/openlearn/digital-computing/ai-fluency/content-section-overview?active-tab=description-tab
You can read Mikes article, An expert's take on AI, in which he answers some commonly asked questions. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/digital-computing/an-experts-take-on-ai
And for all of Mike Richards' OpenLearn articles, view his author profile
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/profiles/mr42
Paul Piwek has written several OpenLearn courses on language - both computer and otherwise - including the badged course Digital thinking tools for better decision making https://www.open.edu/openlearn/digital-computing/digital-thinking-tools-better-decision-making/content-section-overview?active-tab=content-tab and A short introduction to the English language https://www.open.edu/openlearn/languages/a-short-introduction-the-english-language/content-section-0?active-tab=content-tab
Study Q62 BSc (Honours) Computing and IT
open.ac.uk/courses/computing-it/degrees/bsc-computing-it-q62
If you are contemplating using this Open University content, please visit the Copyright and Intellectual Property section of OpenLearn’s frequently asked questions https://www.open.edu/openlearn/about-openlearn/frequently-asked-questions-on-openlearn
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality online degrees and distance learning, serving students across the globe with highly respected degree qualifications, and the triple accredited MBA. The OU teaches through its own unique method of distance learning, called ‘supported open learning’ and you do not need any formal qualifications to study with us, just commitment and a desire to find out what you are capable of.
Free learning from The Open University http://www.open.edu/openlearn/
For more like this subscribe to the Open University channel youtube.com/channel/UCXsH4hSV_kEdAOsupMMm4Qw
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ouopenlearn
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/OUFreeLearning
National AI Day is the 16th July 2026, and so in this artificial intelligence-themed episode we look at the history of AI - where it came from and how long it's been around for (you'll be amazed!), its current uses and benefits, the pros and cons and we delve into how AI works, learns and grows in the future.
Mike Richards and Paul Piwek are both senior lecturers in computing and communications, with their own specialist areas of AI expertise, and so we spoke to them both to celebrate National AI day and OpenLearn's own AI Hub, in partnership with Microsoft, links to which are below...
Transcript: media-podcast.open.ac.uk/feeds/3998_youtubeuploadsfriday/20260715T103725_Ep_11_AI_with_Dr_Paul_Piwek_and_Mike_Richards.pdf
Visit OpenLearn's AI Hub, created in partnership with Microsoft, for free courses, articles and more on artificial intelligence. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/digital-computing/ai-hub
Study a free course on AI Fluency https://www.open.edu/openlearn/digital-computing/ai-fluency/content-section-overview?active-tab=description-tab
You can read Mikes article, An expert's take on AI, in which he answers some commonly asked questions. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/digital-computing/an-experts-take-on-ai
And for all of Mike Richards' OpenLearn articles, view his author profile
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/profiles/mr42
Paul Piwek has written several OpenLearn courses on language - both computer and otherwise - including the badged course Digital thinking tools for better decision making https://www.open.edu/openlearn/digital-computing/digital-thinking-tools-better-decision-making/content-section-overview?active-tab=content-tab and A short introduction to the English language https://www.open.edu/openlearn/languages/a-short-introduction-the-english-language/content-section-0?active-tab=content-tab
Study Q62 BSc (Honours) Computing and IT
open.ac.uk/courses/computing-it/degrees/bsc-computing-it-q62
If you are contemplating using this Open University content, please visit the Copyright and Intellectual Property section of OpenLearn’s frequently asked questions https://www.open.edu/openlearn/about-openlearn/frequently-asked-questions-on-openlearn
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality online degrees and distance learning, serving students across the globe with highly respected degree qualifications, and the triple accredited MBA. The OU teaches through its own unique method of distance learning, called ‘supported open learning’ and you do not need any formal qualifications to study with us, just commitment and a desire to find out what you are capable of.
Free learning from The Open University http://www.open.edu/openlearn/
For more like this subscribe to the Open University channel youtube.com/channel/UCXsH4hSV_kEdAOsupMMm4Qw
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ouopenlearn
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/OUFreeLearning
