An education technology chief has used National Careers Week to call for wider adoption of artificial intelligence to support neurodivergent learners into work.
James Tweed, founder and CEO of Cambridge based edtech firm Coracle, says too many young people are being failed by rigid education systems that do not adapt to how they learn.
Credit: Coracle
James Tweed, founder and CEO Coracle
His company, which operates in some of the world's toughest environments, including the maritime industry, prisons and police custody suites, already delivers secure digital education in more than 90% of public prisons in England and Wales. The technology allows learners to study courses ranging from basic skills to vocational qualifications via offline devices in their cells.
Now it is developing an AI-powered learning assistant designed to tailor content in real time - particularly for learners with dyslexia, ADHD and other neurodivergent needs.
The system, being created in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire and backed by Innovate UK, adapts material based on how individuals interact with it, their pace of progress and areas of difficulty.
“Too many people are held back not by lack of ability, but by education systems that aren’t designed for their specific needs.
“We work with many of the people who have been excluded from schools and ended up in prison. We know that a lot of these people are neurodiverse. In fact, it’s very clear dyslexia is far more common in the prison population than in society as a whole.
“With the help of AI, we can support people in real time - recognising when they struggle, adapting how we support them, and helping them build confidence and skills that can translate directly into career opportunities.”
Neurodivergent learners are disproportionately represented among those who have struggled in traditional classrooms. Tweed argues that responsive digital tools are a practical way to close the gap between education and meaningful employment.
The secure AI system functions without internet connectivity - essential for use in prisons - but Tweed believes its potential extends into mainstream education and workplace training.
“National Careers Week is about celebrating the multiple routes people take into work,” he added. “We believe everyone deserves a fair shot at building skills and confidence. When learning systems truly respond to the individual, careers - and lives - can change.”
Tweed said policymakers and education leaders should look more closely at how adaptive technology could remove barriers and widen access to opportunity.