Keynote Speaker Daniel Susskind on AI, ‘What Should My Children Do?’, and the Future of Work

Renowned economist, Oxford researcher, and former Downing Street policy advisor Daniel Susskind has officially released his latest book, What Should My Children Do? How to Flourish in the Age of AI. Known for his ground-breaking research on artificial intelligence and the future of work (including A World Without Work and Growth), Susskind sits on the UK Government’s Expert Panel on AI and the Future of Work.

His new book addresses one of the most pressing questions facing parents, educators, and executive leaders today: how do we prepare the next generation and today’s workforce to succeed in an economy reshaped by artificial intelligence?

Core Insights: How to Flourish in the AI Era

Following widespread media coverage across The Guardian, The Financial Times, BBC Radio 4, Sky News, and Bloomberg, Susskind outlines a pragmatic, optimistic roadmap for navigating AI disruption:

• Ditch the Myth of “Future-Proof” Skills: Attempting to predict specific technical skills that AI will not replace is a losing strategy. A decade ago, governments rushed to mandate coding in schools to future-proof pupils. Today, AI models write up to 90% of their own code. Rather than guessing which technical tasks are safe, organisations and educators must build adaptable, resilient learning frameworks.

• Get Back to Basics: As AI tools become ubiquitous, foundational literacy and numeracy are more critical than ever. Because AI models are prone to confident errors and hallucinations, humans need sharp basic skills to evaluate AI outputs critically, catch mistakes, and apply high-level judgment.

• Adopt “Teach Both, Test Both”: Drawing inspiration from the 1982 Cockcroft Report on electronic calculators in education, Susskind advocates for a dual approach to skill development. Workplaces and educational institutions should evaluate people both with AI tools (testing their ability to leverage technology for maximum productivity) and without AI tools (ensuring baseline competence remains intact).

• Focus on Problems, Not Job Titles: Traditional roles across law, medicine, finance, and marketing are undergoing rapid transformation. Individuals and corporate teams should align with core problems to solve (such as improving healthcare outcomes or providing legal clarity) rather than fixed job descriptions that technology will inevitably rewrite.

• Embrace Imagination over Prohibition: Reactionary measures like banning AI in classrooms or offices are counterproductive. Used correctly, AI acts as a 24/7 personal tutor and productivity multiplier. The primary constraint on AI performance today is not technological capability, but human imagination.

Why Book Daniel Susskind for Your Organisation?

As artificial intelligence moves from executive discussion into daily operational workflows, business leaders face unprecedented strategic ambiguity. Daniel Susskind’s keynotes cut through AI hype and doom-mongering, delivering evidence-based clarity for boardrooms, conferences, and executive retreats.

Key Benefits for Corporate Audiences:

• Actionable Workforce Strategy: Learn how to restructure job design, training, and talent development around human-AI collaboration rather than obsolete skill models.

• Evidence-Based Economics: Grounded in 15 years of Oxford research and government advising, Daniel delivers realistic economic projections rather than marketing spin.

• L&D and Education Overhaul: Discover concrete frameworks (like “Teach Both, Test Both”) to modernise internal corporate learning, graduate schemes, and executive development.

• Optimistic Leadership Mindset: Shift organisational culture away from fear and restriction towards creative experimentation and high-value problem-solving.

Bring Daniel Susskind to Your Next Event

Help your executive team navigate AI disruption with confidence and clarity.

Whether you are preparing your executive leadership team for structural industry shifts or looking for an inspiring speaker to anchor your annual conference, Daniel Susskind delivers authoritative, compelling, and refreshingly optimistic guidance.

Get in Touch

To check Daniel Susskind’s availability, discuss speaking fees, or book him for your upcoming event:

• Call our team: +44 (0)1628 601 400

• Email us directly: hello@speakers.co.uk

• Visit his profile

• Enquire online: Reach out directly through the website to secure a consultation for your next corporate event.