From Activator to Crewmate: Hello Abubakr

Last summer, during the pilot of the AI Activator programme with Liverpool John Moores University, we met a cohort of students who were curious, capable, and ready to apply AI in the real world. One of those original Activators was Abubakr Abdulraheem. This month, that story comes full circle as Abu joins the GoodShip* crew.

The AI Activator was designed to do more than teach tools. It created a space where students could think critically about impact, ethics, and delivery. Abu stood out early for his quiet confidence, technical grounding, and thoughtful questions about how AI can support organisations with purpose. That mindset matters here.

Fast forward to Abu’s first week at GoodShip* and the momentum is clear. Working alongside Gavin Sherratt, Abu has been meeting founders and operators across the North West, sitting in on live conversations, and mapping funding and investment activity across the Liverpool City Region. He also spent time at an AI for Good tech event and visited Kyndryl, getting hands-on with immersive demos and applied AI simulations.

What makes this transition meaningful is continuity. The Activator programme was never about a one-off workshop. It was about opening doors, building confidence, and connecting emerging talent to real opportunities. Abu’s move from Activator to crewmate shows what happens when education, industry, and intent align.

Welcome aboard, Abu. This is just the beginning.

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