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Harrogate school holds speech competition following release of hit tv show 'Adolescence'

Sunday, 6 April 2025 20:27

The finalists from the competition.

Harrogate High School held a competition for each year group for the best speech regarding AI intelligence.

During HHS Community Day students were asked to discuss this topic and as part of the day, students prepared speeches looking at the pros and cons of Artificial Intelligence.

The TV show Adolescence has been in the news recently exploring how national behaviour and social dynamics within schools has evolved, particularly around the contentious issue of mobile phone use.

The show has provided a powerful medium for reflecting on the relationship between students, technology, and educational policies and the government has recognised it as sparking an important national conversation about the impact of social media and "manosphere" influencers.

Mrs Wearing, Deputy Head and Safeguarding Lead said,

“We have clear communication of the rules and consistent enforcement at HHS but the themes in the show have highlighted the impact of mobile phones and artificial intelligence on school environments

“AI technologies are becoming increasingly integrated into everyday life and while AI holds the potential to revolutionise it also presents some deeper issues, we all need to be aware of.”

Software Developer from Made by Sauce, Matt Stanton visited the school on Friday to listen to the speeches from the finalists of each year group.

Matt commented saying:

“All the finalists were incredible and choosing a winner was the hardest decision to make.

"All were well researched and very well written.

"Congratulations to all the students that were involved.“

Finalist and winner of the HHS Community Day Award Yr 11 student Anushka said:

“I think AI is amazing as it is helping us all in so many ways, and we don’t necessarily know AI is being used, which can be scary.

"Things such as in the medical profession is really good."

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