This episode offers practical insight into how AI can support education without replacing people. It shows how technology can reduce paperwork, improve access to support, and give teachers and advisors more time for meaningful conversations. You will hear honest perspectives from founders and educators working directly with students, universities, and councils on real problems in education systems.
Who This Episode Is For?
This episode is for school leaders, SEND professionals, university staff, and EdTech leaders who want to use AI responsibly. It is also valuable for policymakers and education teams interested in reducing workload, improving inclusion, supporting employability, and protecting human connection in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Full Episode Description
This episode from Bett 2026 explores how education systems can scale support while keeping human relationships at the centre.
The conversation begins with Peter Lancett, founder of MyTrencher. Peter shares a personal story about supporting his daughter after university and the difficulty graduates face when entering the job market. He explains how MyTrencher works as an operational layer for career services, helping small university teams support tens of thousands of students. By mapping curriculum data to real labour market skills, the platform moves career guidance from reactive advice to proactive support, identifying students who need help earlier and guiding them towards meaningful employment pathways.
Next, Doug Delpha, an Adjunct Professor and AI Engineer, brings a strong philosophical perspective. Doug argues that while teachers must become AI-literate, their most important role is human mentorship. He calls for a return to an “Aristotle and Plato” model of education, where educators act as trusted guides, not just content deliverers. Doug also raises serious concerns about digital sovereignty, warning institutions about over-reliance on US-based infrastructure. He urges education systems to build elastic and resilient technology stacks that can adapt to geopolitical and technical disruption.
The episode then turns to inclusion and SEND administration with Andy Bell, Founder of Trellis. Andy explains how his CivTech-winning platform uses AI to reduce paperwork in SEND departments. Trellis records and transcribes child plan meetings, then automatically produces first drafts of plans and action documents. This allows teachers to be present in meetings, make better eye contact with parents, and focus on the child rather than typing notes. Andy highlights that the biggest benefit is not just time saving, but improved quality, consistency, and clarity for families.
Together, these conversations show that AI works best when it removes friction, not people. The episode highlights a shared message from Bett 2026: technology should free educators to do what only humans can do—care, guide, and connect.
Ready to learn more about the future of learning? This episode is proudly sponsored by Everway and Edmentum.
Philippa Wraithmell is an education and digital-learning strategist based in the UAE. As the founder of EdRuption and Digital Bridge, she leads work on digital wellbeing, innovation, and evidence-informed practice. As host of The EdTech Podcast, Philippa explores how technology can elevate teaching, learning, and equitable education across the globe.
Andy Bell is the Founder of Trellis, an EdTech startup improving SEND processes using AI. A CivTech award winner, Andy works closely with the Scottish Government to reduce admin workload for teachers. He is a strong advocate for “human-in-command” AI and previously won the Holyrood Digital Public Service Award.
Doug Delpha is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Strasbourg and an AI Engineer. He teaches in postgraduate programmes focused on technical communication and web design. Doug works on AI policy, education systems, and digital infrastructure, with a strong focus on human-centred learning.
Peter Lancett is the founder of MyTrencher, a platform helping students move into meaningful employment. With decades of experience in strategy, recruitment, and technology, Peter focuses on career development, AI in hiring, and building systems that support graduates and employers at scale.
#313
Bett: Lightening the Admin Load, Strengthening Human Connection
Subscribe on : iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music
Episode Overview
On the show floor at Bett 2026, host Philippa Wraithmell speaks with Peter Lancett, founder of MyTrencher, Doug Delpha, Adjunct Professor at the University of Strasbourg, and Andy Bell, Founder of Trellis. Together, they explore how AI can reduce administrative workload, support large education systems, and protect the essential human relationships that learners still need most.
Key Themes in This Episode
Why Listen to This Episode?
This episode offers practical insight into how AI can support education without replacing people. It shows how technology can reduce paperwork, improve access to support, and give teachers and advisors more time for meaningful conversations. You will hear honest perspectives from founders and educators working directly with students, universities, and councils on real problems in education systems.
Who This Episode Is For?
This episode is for school leaders, SEND professionals, university staff, and EdTech leaders who want to use AI responsibly. It is also valuable for policymakers and education teams interested in reducing workload, improving inclusion, supporting employability, and protecting human connection in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Full Episode Description
This episode from Bett 2026 explores how education systems can scale support while keeping human relationships at the centre.
The conversation begins with Peter Lancett, founder of MyTrencher. Peter shares a personal story about supporting his daughter after university and the difficulty graduates face when entering the job market. He explains how MyTrencher works as an operational layer for career services, helping small university teams support tens of thousands of students. By mapping curriculum data to real labour market skills, the platform moves career guidance from reactive advice to proactive support, identifying students who need help earlier and guiding them towards meaningful employment pathways.
Next, Doug Delpha, an Adjunct Professor and AI Engineer, brings a strong philosophical perspective. Doug argues that while teachers must become AI-literate, their most important role is human mentorship. He calls for a return to an “Aristotle and Plato” model of education, where educators act as trusted guides, not just content deliverers. Doug also raises serious concerns about digital sovereignty, warning institutions about over-reliance on US-based infrastructure. He urges education systems to build elastic and resilient technology stacks that can adapt to geopolitical and technical disruption.
The episode then turns to inclusion and SEND administration with Andy Bell, Founder of Trellis. Andy explains how his CivTech-winning platform uses AI to reduce paperwork in SEND departments. Trellis records and transcribes child plan meetings, then automatically produces first drafts of plans and action documents. This allows teachers to be present in meetings, make better eye contact with parents, and focus on the child rather than typing notes. Andy highlights that the biggest benefit is not just time saving, but improved quality, consistency, and clarity for families.
Together, these conversations show that AI works best when it removes friction, not people. The episode highlights a shared message from Bett 2026: technology should free educators to do what only humans can do—care, guide, and connect.
Ready to learn more about the future of learning? This episode is proudly sponsored by Everway and Edmentum.
Podcast Host By :
Special thanks to Guests :
Subscribe on : iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music
Post List
Bett: Lightening the Admin Load, Strengthening Human Connection
Bett UK 2026: Bringing Joy to Digital Assessment
Trending
#271 – Cutting Through the White Noise Around AI for Education
#255 – Does It Work? Evidence in EdTech
#250 – NeuroDiversity in Education and Entrepreneurship
related posts :
120 Million Users: Canva’s Local Vision
Bett 2026: Resilience, Credibility, and Evidence
From Reading to Robotics: Transforming Assessment at Bett UK 2026
Bett UK 2026: Bringing Joy to Digital Assessment
LEGO at Bett UK: Safe AI for Classrooms
AI, Wellbeing, and Inclusion at Bett UK 2026