#326: Sky, Storytelling AI and the Future of Youth Education with Nishy Lall

Sky, Storytelling, AI and the Future of Youth Education with Nishy Lall

In this episode of The EdTech Podcast, Philippa is joined by Nishy Lall, a strategic senior leader with over 15 years’ experience shaping large-scale social impact, youth engagement, digital equity and inclusion programmes across the UK, Europe and the US.

Nishy leads Sky’s youth and social impact work, helping young people fulfil their potential through digital access, creativity, storytelling and real-world industry experiences. Through initiatives such as Sky Up Academy Studios, The Edit, and wider Sky youth programmes, she shares how Sky is opening doors into media, technology and creative careers for young people who may not otherwise see those pathways as available to them.

This conversation explores how immersive media experiences, AI, creative technology and industry partnerships can help young people build confidence, communication skills, digital literacy and a stronger sense of belonging. From creating news reports in professional-style studios to using tools such as Adobe Express for storytelling challenges, Nishy explains how Sky’s programmes support both teachers and learners by connecting curriculum, creativity and future skills. 

At the heart of the episode is a powerful message: opportunities shape futures. When young people are given access to the right environments, tools and encouragement, they can begin to see themselves differently — not as a finished article, but as someone with agency, curiosity and potential.

 

Episode Summary

Nishy Lall from Sky joins The EdTech Podcast to discuss how Sky’s youth programmes are helping young people build confidence, skills and aspirations through digital media, AI, creative technology and real-world industry experiences.

The conversation explores Sky Up Academy Studios, where young people step into studio environments, take on production roles, create their own news reports and experience the power of storytelling from script to screen. Nishy also shares the impact of The Edit, Sky’s schools-based storytelling challenge developed with Adobe, which gives young people access to creative tools and the opportunity to explore themes such as climate change, diversity, mental health, wellbeing and media literacy.

Philippa and Nishy discuss the role of AI in education, the importance of ethical and responsible use, and why young people should be supported to see technology as an enabler rather than a replacement for human creativity. They also explore digital equity, inclusion, teacher support, lifelong learning, creative career pathways and the importance of helping every young person feel that they belong in future-facing industries.

Key Themes

Sky’s youth and social impact work
Nishy shares how Sky’s social impact programmes are designed to help young people fulfil their potential through digital access, creativity and future skills.

Sky Up Academy Studios
The episode explores how students visit immersive studio spaces, take on roles such as presenter, editor, director and camera operator, and create their own media content linked to curriculum themes.

Digital equity and access
Nishy describes digital equity as fairness — ensuring young people have access to tools, experiences and environments that allow them to express themselves and discover new possibilities.

AI, creativity and responsible use
The conversation explores how young people are already engaging with AI, why prompt literacy and critical thinking matter, and how AI can support ideation and storytelling when used responsibly.

Creative technology and career pathways
Sky’s programmes help students understand the range of roles within media, broadcast, film, storytelling and creative technology, opening up pathways they may never have previously considered.

Supporting teachers and curriculum learning
The discussion highlights how media production can bring subjects such as history, geography, English, climate education and online safety to life in new and memorable ways.

Belonging, confidence and inclusion
Nishy shares examples of young people thriving in studio environments, including those who may struggle in traditional classroom settings, and explains why confidence and belonging are central to long-term impact.

 

Chapter Markers

00:00 Introduction to Nishy Lall and Sky’s youth impact
02:30 Sky Up Academy Studios: a hands-on industry experience
03:18 Building teamwork, communication and digital literacy
05:07 AI in education and young people’s digital confidence
06:20 Inspiring creativity and confidence in young learners
08:01 Inclusion, accessibility and opportunity for all
09:23 The fourth industrial revolution and youth readiness
10:53 Real-world careers: from studio experience to industry pathways
13:20 Using media to teach history and other curriculum subjects
15:21 Supporting diverse learners and students with additional needs
18:50 Earth Day, World Book Day and meaningful media projects
21:39 Media literacy and responsible content creation
22:55 AI, creativity, ethics and prompt literacy
25:26 The future of work and lifelong learning
28:34 Sky’s role in digital innovation and education
35:01 Building confidence, aspiration and belonging
37:24 Partnerships, industry collaboration and authentic learning
42:01 Preparing educators for a changing digital world
44:14 Creating opportunities for all young people
45:35 Closing reflections and future outlook
46:13 Empowering youth through creative education
46:43 Why digital equity matters
47:08 Community, engagement and the role of EdTech

Guest Bio

Nishy Lall is a strategic senior leader with over 15 years’ experience shaping large-scale social impact, youth engagement, digital equity and inclusion strategies across the UK, Europe and the US.

She brings extensive board and non-executive experience, deep governance expertise and a strong track record of financial leadership, including oversight of multi-million-pound budgets and complex programme portfolios. Nishy is recognised for influencing national conversations on skills, inclusion and media literacy, and for building high-value partnerships across industry, education and the technology sector.

She is an award-winning change-maker, recognised as Asian Women of the Year 2020 — Social & Humanitarian, Drum Awards Change Maker of the Year 2022, and We Make Change Top 100 Change Leader 2025.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishy-lall-61b91415/ 

Resources and Links

Sky Up – The Edit: https://www.skyup.sky/the-edit
Sky Up Academy Studios: https://www.skyup.sky/academy-studios
Access All Arts: https://accessallarts.skyarts.uk/
Sky Group on X: https://x.com/SkyGroup
Adobe Creative Cloud: https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud.html