DARPL Project Manager Fardous Chowdhury, PRINCE2 Practitioner, was proud to take part in this year’s Safer Internet Day, organised by the Welsh Government at the iconic Principality Stadium.

The event brought together educators, practitioners, and young people from across Wales to reflect on how we can use the internet and emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in a safe, responsible, and ethical way.

The day began with an insightful opening presentation by David Wright, Director of the UK Safer Internet Centre, who highlighted the growing importance of digital awareness and online safety in an increasingly connected world. This was followed by an inspiring keynote address from Lynne Neagle, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Platform Digital Guardians (Wales), who emphasised the vital role of education in helping young people navigate digital spaces safely and confidently.

As a key partner in professional learning across Wales, DARPL continues to support educators in developing safe and effective digital practices. One of the programme’s important delivery platforms is the DARPL Virtual Learning Campus (darpl.org/darpl.cymru), where digital technologies and AI-powered tools are increasingly becoming part of everyday learning and collaboration.

While AI offers exciting opportunities for innovation, creativity, and enhanced learning experiences, it also raises important questions around safety, ethics, and wellbeing. At DARPL, we remain committed to promoting the responsible and ethical use of digital technologies, ensuring that our online environments remain inclusive, secure, and supportive for all users.

Reflecting on the event, Fardous Chowdhury highlighted an important message shared during the discussions: while AI is highly attractive and powerful, it can also be disruptive or potentially harmful if not used thoughtfully. This reinforces the importance of developing digital awareness, critical thinking, and safeguarding practices among both educators and learners. Safer Internet Day also reinforced the importance of collaboration across schools, practitioners, and communities to build a safer digital environment.

It was particularly encouraging to see how engaged and knowledgeable young people are about both the opportunities and risks associated with AI. Their perspectives and contributions were a powerful reminder of the importance of empowering the next generation to use technology responsibly.

A special mention goes to two of our DARPL Advocacy Network (DAN) schools – Corpus Christi Catholic High School and Pencoed Comprehensive School – who delivered outstanding presentations showcasing their recent work with DARPL and their innovative approaches to exploring AI in education.