Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (RAI) is becoming increasingly common in both everyday and working life. Adult education will be central to this transformation and can be used to empower citizens to use technology to improve their lives and communities. Exploratory interviews with stakeholders were conducted to understand requirements for a successful educational initiative. Thought leaders in artificial intelligence (AI) were interviewed as their support is needed to promote, run, and fund such an educational initiative. Industry were interviewed to align educational needs to any potential future path-to-work opportunities. Adult educators were interviewed to understand the needs of adult learners and how such an education could be realized. Finally, and most importantly, members of the public were interviewed to understand their views on AI and training. The interviews were conducted with individuals, and companies based on the UK, the findings and discussions are, therefore, largely UK-centric. These interviews have revealed some areas, which need to be considered and addressed when designing education in RAI aimed at the general public. Throughout this work, the term education will be used, as the aim of these interviews and the design stage is to create education, which works the best for the learners. As such, the type of education (this could be formal or non-formal, linked to business or community lead, and digital or in-person) should be dictated by the findings.As has happened with previous technological advances, there is a risk that certain groups of the population will be left behind as RAI grows. [1] Existing inequalities could be deepened if the benefits (and disadvantages) created by these technologies are not shared equally throughout society. [2] Education is one method of minimizing the number of people being left behind. Often those at risk are the same people who could not or would not avail of other formal educational offerings, and whose employers would be unlikely to provide such education. Thus, any education must be specifically designed with these people and their needs in mind. This research aims to be the initial data used to inform further research and development of an educational initiative for those potentially left behind. [3][4][5]
Fourth Industrial RevolutionThe advancement of emerging technologies, including RAI and related technologies, such as autonomous cars and the Internet of Things (IoT), is often referred to as "The Fourth