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At Hot Stories Cambridge, every speaker brings a unique perspective, a story that carries both personal lessons and community value. One of the voices that continues to inspire is Philip Spalding – a man whose journey has taken him from traditional roots into the fast-evolving world of AI, education, and lifelong learning.
Philip isn’t new to the Hot Stories stage. In fact, many in the room had already seen his previous talk – From Crops to Code: AI, Data Ownership & Lifelong Learning – which was filmed and shared widely on YouTube (watch here). That talk explored his background, his transition into new technologies, and his passion for equipping others with the knowledge to adapt to change.
This time, Philip’s focus was on a real-life teaching experience, a story that highlighted not just his skills, but also his belief in collaboration, adaptability, and giving people the tools to think differently about technology.
Teaching AI to the Next Generation
Recently, Philip took on a contract that many might have considered daunting – teaching AI and computer science to a group of ten 16-year-old students visiting from China.
The programme was designed to give these students a deep experience of Cambridge life and British culture. Their schedule was packed:
Mornings dedicated to learning English.
Afternoons spent exploring Cambridge and further afield, including Windsor Castle and “Respect Week” activities in London.
Evenings filled with cultural exchanges, games, and team challenges – complete with Cambridge “houses” inspired by Trinity and other iconic colleges.
But in the middle of this cultural programme sat Philip’s sessions: animation, game production, and AI exploration.
When asked to step in, Philip’s colleague Amy – a science teacher – admitted she didn’t feel fully confident delivering AI sessions. That’s where Philip came in, bringing not just technical knowledge, but also his hallmark ability to make complex topics simple and engaging.
AI in the Classroom: Raspberry Pi & Data Ownership
Philip’s approach was hands-on. Rather than just talking about AI in abstract terms, he introduced the students to a powerful yet humble tool: the Raspberry Pi.
Standalone Power – Unlike cloud-based systems that rely on sending data across the globe, the Raspberry Pi can run AI independently.
Data Security – It doesn’t send information to America or anywhere else. It keeps the user’s data safe and private.
Sustainability – With a carbon footprint that’s minimal, it runs on about 5 watts of power.
By using this small but mighty device, Philip demonstrated that AI doesn’t have to be big, intimidating, or inaccessible. It can be local, personal, and empowering.
This message resonated not only with the students but also with the wider Hot Stories audience. In a time when debates rage over data ownership and AI’s environmental cost, Philip’s story brought it back to something tangible: a device on a desk, teaching teenagers how to shape their own digital future.
Why AI Answers Differ – A Teachable Moment
One of the fascinating points Philip shared was about how AI models evolve through usage.
When you type in a prompt to most large AI systems, your query doesn’t exist in isolation. It contributes to the ongoing “learning” of that model. That’s why:
The first user might get one answer.
The second user, asking the same question, might get a slightly different response.
By the fourth user, the system has already refined its answer, influenced by the earlier interactions.
It’s a reminder that AI is never static. It’s always shifting, adapting, influenced by data flowing from millions of users worldwide.
But with the Raspberry Pi, Philip showed, you have the power to control the data flow. Your queries stay with you. The system learns from what you feed it, not from the global hive mind.
For students – and for businesses – this raises a critical question: Do you want to be a consumer of AI, or do you want to own your AI?
Cambridge, Culture, and Connection
Philip’s teaching wasn’t just about technology. It was about connection.
The Chinese students weren’t only learning code. They were also absorbing British culture, history, and the unique academic traditions of Cambridge. The cultural programme included:
Visiting historic landmarks.
Experiencing traditional British meals (including a “pauper’s feast”).
Competing in house-based challenges, mirroring the structure of Cambridge colleges.
Through this, they weren’t just visitors. They became temporary Cambridge students, immersed in both the heritage of the city and the innovation of its technology.
Philip’s AI sessions added a layer of future-facing skills to that experience. They left not just with memories of castles and colleges, but with the confidence that they, too, could experiment with AI back home.
The Power of Lifelong Learning
One of Philip’s strongest themes, both in this talk and his previous one, is the idea of lifelong learning.
Though many might expect a man of his experience to step back into retirement, Philip continues to learn, teach, and share knowledge. He collaborates with other retired colleagues, exploring AI not as passive observers but as active practitioners.
This attitude is infectious. For the students he taught, it sent a clear message:
“Learning doesn’t stop at 16, or 21, or 50. If you stay curious, you can keep growing, keep adapting, and keep shaping the future.”
From the Classroom Back to Hot Stories
At Hot Stories, we often say that business networking isn’t just about transactions – it’s about stories, wisdom, and inspiration. Philip embodies this.
He doesn’t just “teach AI.”
He makes it personal, cultural, and human.
He connects the dots between past experience and future opportunity.
And perhaps most importantly, he reminds us that technology is a tool – it’s what we do with it that matters.
A Journey That Continues
Philip closed his talk with humility, acknowledging that what he had shared was just “his story.” But to those listening, it was more than that.
It was a reminder that:
Technology can be accessible.
Education can be creative.
Learning never ends.
And for those Chinese students who returned home, it was likely a memory that will stay with them for years: learning AI in Cambridge, guided by someone who truly believes in the power of curiosity and endeavour.
Watch Philip’s Previous Talk
For those who missed it, you can watch Philip’s earlier Hot Stories talk here:
🎥 Philip Spalding – From Crops to Code: AI, Data Ownership & Lifelong Learning | Hot Stories Cambridge
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Philip Spalding’s story is proof that innovation isn’t just for the young – it’s for the curious. And curiosity, as he shows us, has no age limit.
