Jun 11, 2026
Artificial Intelligence is often
positioned as the great democratiser of knowledge. But could it
also widen existing inequalities?
In this episode of Hub & Spoken,
Jason Foster is joined by Dipi McKernan, Chief Controls Officer at
Lloyds Banking Group, to explore the intersection of AI and social
mobility.
Drawing on her own journey and
extensive work championing socioeconomic diversity, Dipi shares why
social mobility remains a significant challenge across financial
and professional services, despite growing awareness and progress.
Together, Jason and Dipi discuss how AI could create new
opportunities by opening access to knowledge, learning, mentoring
and career development that were previously out of reach for
many.
But they also examine the risks. As
AI reshapes the workforce, what happens to entry-level roles that
traditionally provide experience and pathways into leadership?
Could bias, unequal access to technology, and a lack of diversity
among those building AI systems reinforce existing barriers?
This is a thoughtful conversation about the future of work,
opportunity, and the responsibility leaders, educators and
organisations have to ensure AI helps create a fairer future rather
than a more divided one.