Podcast Summary: James Reed: All About Business
Episode 25: Human-like AI is Rewiring Our Kids' Brains! Educating the Future Generation with Philip Colligan
Release Date: April 28, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of All About Business, host James Reed engages in an insightful conversation with Philip Colligan, CEO of the Raspberry Pi Foundation. The discussion delves into the unique journey of Raspberry Pi as a charity-turned-public company, the delicate balance between social purpose and profitability, and the critical role of AI literacy in shaping the future generation.

1. The Genesis of Raspberry Pi Foundation

Philip Colligan begins by outlining the foundation's inception and mission. Although he was not a founder, he joined the Raspberry Pi team to address the pressing issue of insufficient opportunities for children to engage with technology.

Philip Colligan [02:04]: "The founders of Raspberry Pi... were focused on this problem of not enough kids having the opportunity to learn how to create with technology."

The original goal was to create an affordable, programmable computer akin to the price of a textbook, ensuring accessibility for all.

Philip Colligan [02:43]: "They set themselves this price of $25 initially... and settled on $35 eventually."

2. Navigating Financial Pressures as a Charity

As sales surged, the foundation faced financial challenges related to manufacturing and capital investment. Colligan explains how the initial business model relied on licensing designs to manufacturing partners, minimizing capital expenses and ensuring clean profits through royalties.

Philip Colligan [03:22]: "We owned the company, owned the designs of Raspberry PIs, and we licensed those designs to some manufacturing companies... a proportion of those profits was paid up to the foundation in the form of gift aid."

However, sustaining growth necessitated injecting working capital, leading to debates over the allocation of profits between dividends and philanthropic endeavors.

Philip Colligan [05:09]: "We wanted to keep investing in R&D... put pressure on the idea of gift aid from the trading company to the foundation."

3. Transition to a Public Company

The pivotal moment came in 2017 when Colligan and his team contemplated an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to secure the necessary capital for expansion and innovation. This decision was solidified despite challenging timing, such as the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Philip Colligan [06:00]: "We realized we'd have to find a way to bring some capital into the business... that was when the seed of the idea of listing really took hold."

Philip Colligan [08:02]: "We did a lot of the work with investors, a lot of the roadshows... history will judge whether it was the right path."

The successful IPO doubled the company's valuation to a billion pounds, firmly establishing Raspberry Pi as a philanthropic enterprise with significant market presence.

James Reed [08:31]: "This firmly establishes Raspberry PI in my world as a Philco... a philanthropy company where the foundation still has a big stake."

4. Balancing Social Mission with Profitability

Post-IPO, the Raspberry Pi Foundation continues to prioritize its social mission while benefiting from business growth. Colligan highlights the establishment of an endowment and the enhancement of brand trust as crucial outcomes of this model.

Philip Colligan [09:02]: "We've established an endowment... up 160 million pounds today."

Philip Colligan [09:49]: "Trust in technology generally has taken a bit of a dive... we have high levels of trust with our community."

This symbiotic relationship ensures sustained investment in educational initiatives and technological advancements.

5. Championing AI Literacy in Education

A significant portion of the conversation centers on AI literacy and its imperative role in modern education. Colligan emphasizes the foundation's proactive approach in integrating AI understanding into curricula to prevent past oversights experienced during the internet boom.

Philip Colligan [13:54]: "We missed the educational challenge of that moment... we want to ensure we don't miss it this time."

He elaborates on AI literacy as encompassing the knowledge of how AI systems are built, their societal and ethical implications, and fostering critical thinking about technology's role.

Philip Colligan [16:25]: "When you ask a large language model... it’s a probabilistic system trying to figure out what characters should come after the one before."

6. Implementing Educational Initiatives: Code Club and Experience AI

Colligan introduces Code Club, an expansive network of after-school coding clubs empowering children to learn by building projects. He shares the foundation's commitment to making these programs accessible globally, with over 8,000 clubs worldwide and significant reach in the UK.

Philip Colligan [29:41]: "Code Club is all about learning by building... over 8,000 code clubs around the world now."

Additionally, the Experience AI program, developed in collaboration with Google DeepMind, offers curricula, teacher training, and hands-on exercises to foster AI literacy.

Philip Colligan [20:04]: "Experience AI.org... we've reached close to 2 million young people with one of those lessons."

7. Collaborative Research and Knowledge Dissemination

To bridge the gap between academic research and practical application, the foundation has established a research center in partnership with the University of Cambridge. This collaboration focuses on defining AI literacy and integrating it effectively into educational systems.

Philip Colligan [32:15]: "We’ve got teams in six countries and partnerships with nonprofits in 60 other countries... enriching all our efforts."

The Hello World magazine serves as a medium for translating research insights into actionable knowledge for educators.

Philip Colligan [33:24]: "We publish a magazine called Hello World... it's the first line of code that everyone writes."

8. Expanding Global Footprint with Cultural Sensitivity

Colligan discusses the foundation's strategic international expansion, emphasizing cultural humility and local collaboration. Teams in countries like the USA, India, Kenya, South Africa, Ireland, and the UK work cohesively to adapt programs to diverse educational landscapes.

Philip Colligan [36:29]: "Humility is the big thing... we build local teams with stunning educators and researchers."

He underscores the importance of face-to-face interactions in building cohesive teams and maintaining a unified organizational culture.

Philip Colligan [38:54]: "I will not hire people that haven't had a face-to-face meeting with a hiring manager."

9. Future Aspirations and Legacy

Looking ahead, Colligan envisions the foundation becoming a preeminent force in education, akin to the Wellcome Trust in health. His focus is on expanding AI literacy, supporting educators, and ensuring technology empowers young people globally.

Philip Colligan [47:01]: "I'm trying to build the Wellcome for Education... I shall be beavering away at that."

10. Concluding Insights and Inspiration

The episode concludes with personal reflections from Colligan on the fulfillment derived from witnessing the foundation's impact on young minds. His dedication to nurturing future technologists and entrepreneurs encapsulates the essence of Raspberry Pi's mission.

Philip Colligan [45:35]: "The thing that I love about my job is meeting the kids and the teachers... inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs and technologists."

Notable Quotes

• Philip Colligan [02:04]:
  "The founders of Raspberry Pi... were focused on this problem of not enough kids having the opportunity to learn how to create with technology."

• Philip Colligan [08:58]:
  "We've established an endowment... up 160 million pounds today."

• Philip Colligan [16:25]:
  "When you ask a large language model... it’s a probabilistic system trying to figure out what characters should come after the one before."

• Philip Colligan [29:41]:
  "Code Club is all about learning by building... over 8,000 code clubs around the world now."

• Philip Colligan [47:01]:
  "I'm trying to build the Wellcome for Education... I shall be beavering away at that."

Conclusion

This episode of All About Business offers a profound exploration of how the Raspberry Pi Foundation seamlessly integrates philanthropy with business acumen to foster technological education. Philip Colligan's insights highlight the importance of adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and unwavering commitment to empowering future generations through accessible technology and comprehensive AI literacy.

For more information about Reed Global or the Raspberry Pi Foundation, links are available in the show notes.