The Hg Foundation hosted its annual reception on Thursday 1 October, where former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged young people to approach the age of AI with curiosity and optimism. "Rather than trying to be a know-it-all, you should be a learn-it-all," he said. His other advice was to stay optimistic, because "people are drawn to optimistic people."

As Prime Minister, Sunak hosted the world's first AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park and set up the UK's AI Safety Institute. He now advises Microsoft, Anthropic and Goldman Sachs on AI.

He joined Hg co-CEO Steven Batchelor for a wide-ranging conversation on AI and opportunity. They discussed why the UK should focus on making the best use of the technology, through adoption and diffusion, and why AI literacy is now the skill employers want most. Sunak also argued that human traits such as curiosity, creativity, courage, communication and compassion matter more than ever.

The evening also featured three people who have been through programmes supported by The Hg Foundation:

• Amarachi Anogwi taught herself to code while raising her children, joined CodeYourFuture and is now a service delivery lead at Capgemini.

• Yassine Labiade had to leave his studies in Ukraine when the war began. He retrained through ReDI School of Digital Integration in Hamburg, where he now volunteers.

• John Lu Helsby returned from years of disrupted study to become a software engineer at Meta, supported throughout by upReach.

Reflecting on her journey, Amarachi said: "Everything is possible if you believe and if you have the right support."

Since 2020, The Hg Foundation has committed $50m to more than 40 partners across the UK, Europe and North America, reaching over 80,000 young people and adults. Together, this international, cross-sector community is addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by AI.