We recently caught up with James Fraser-Murison, Director of Fraser Esports and BRILLIANT Ambassador, to talk about what makes BRILLIANT different, both as a speaker and as an attendee.

As AI becomes increasingly capable, one thing is becoming clear, as the skills that will set people apart aren't just technical, they're creative, and more importantly, they’re human.

That's why the conversation around STEM has evolved into STEAM, recognising the importance of Arts alongside Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

When Zaitoon Bukhari came into contact with the BRILLIANT team, there was a feeling that the north needed something different. Not another large-scale education event trying to replicate what already existed elsewhere, but something with its own identity. Something grounded in the realities of schools, teachers and communities across the region. Something focused less on spectacle and more on meaningful conversations about how technology can genuinely improve education.

Across schools, colleges and industry, gaming and immersive technologies are increasingly being recognised as powerful tools for engagement, collaboration and future skills development. What was once seen as entertainment alone is now becoming part of a much bigger conversation about how young people learn, communicate and prepare for modern careers.

For educators navigating the fast-moving world of AI, conferences can sometimes feel overwhelming, overly theoretical, or heavily focused on products rather than practice. For Director of Technology for Learning at Denbigh High School, Emma Darcy, BRILLIANT felt different.

Artificial intelligence is no longer something schools are considering whether to engage with. That conversation has already happened.

Reflections on the benefits of attending BRILLIANT Festival from Tom Rogerson after two years of attending as a teacher.

For many teachers, CPD has often meant one-off sessions, generic training or ideas that feel disconnected from the realities of the classroom. It can be informative, but not always useful.

STEAM education is an approach to teaching that brings together science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics to help students understand how knowledge is used in the real world. Rather than teaching subjects in isolation, STEAM connects them through problem-solving, creativity and practical application.