Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. Artificial intelligence (AI) is already making a big impact in the public sector, from identifying criminals to improving cancer detection at the NHS.
We are bringing AI to the classroom to modernise and support our teachers, and to deliver to our children and students.
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Can teachers use AI?
Teachers can use AI for a variety of tasks, including planning lessons, creating materials, marking, providing feedback, and performing administrative tasks. They must use their professional judgment to ensure that the AI-generated output is accurate and appropriate. The final responsibility lies with the teacher and his or her school.
As long as schools and colleges follow the legal requirements for data protection, the safety of children, and intellectual property, they can make their own AI rules.
Our policy paper contains more information about Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and education.
How can AI benefit teachers?
AI can reduce the time that teachers spend on administrative tasks by drafting curriculum plans and producing high-quality resources. This allows them to focus more time on teaching their students.
AI has so much potential to help teachers in the classroom. We are therefore funding the development and testing of new AI tools in education. These tools are a true test of AI’s capabilities. They can assess handwritten work, give feedback on geography maps drawn by students, or even recognise mistakes made in soldering circuit boards.
Teachers can now spend more time on teaching instead of wasting their time on administrative tasks and marking.
Will AI replace teachers?
Teachers are irreplaceable, and AI will never replace their professional judgment and personal relationships with students.
We are developing AI tools to support teachers and not replace them in their unique role. These tools are designed for repetitive tasks that take away teachers’ time from classroom interaction.
To raise standards in education, it is essential to have good teachers. AI could be used to help reduce the workload of teachers, which would also improve recruitment and retention. These tools can make a real difference in the lives of teachers and help them to focus on what really matters, which is teaching.
Can students use AI?
Schools and colleges are responsible for deciding if their students can use AI. However, they must have safeguards in place. This means that students should be closely supervised, use tools with filtering and safety features, and adhere to the age restrictions. Many AI tools have an 18+ restriction. Also, schools and colleges need to consider how AI impacts learning and if homework policies should be updated.
The school or college decides how and when AI will be used. Some schools may only allow AI in certain subject areas or years, while others might decide that it is for teachers. It doesn’t matter what they decide; the safety of students should always be their priority.
What can AI do for students?
AI can assist in providing high-quality, personalised feedback to improve student achievement. It means that they will get more of the things that make a difference in their learning, such as high-quality teaching and personalised comments.
AI tools will speed up the marking process and allow teachers to better understand their students’ progress, allowing them to tailor their lessons according to each student. This will not replace the relationship between students, teachers, and parents. It will instead strengthen it as it gives teachers more time to concentrate on the human aspect of teaching, which is crucial to the success of pupils.
What is your plan to implement AI in the education system?
We’re investigating ways to use AI in education, from investing in AI tools to training teachers and leaders and gathering evidence of how students and teachers are using AI.
We have taken the first steps.
Launch of the AI Tools for Education competition and content store
We announced in August 2024 two exciting initiatives that we hope will stimulate the education sector and assist with teacher workload.
The content store, a PS3million data library funded through the Department for Science and Technology, will be used for large language AI models to receive high-quality educational information such as curricula and marking schemes. AI products can now produce even better resources for teachers.
Innovate UK’s Contracts for Innovation programme also funded AI Tools for Education with 1 million. The money was given to 16 innovators who will use the information in the content store to create AI tools to help teachers across all key stages.
We’ve also announced additional funding of PS1m through Contracts for Innovation to speed up the development of AI-based tools for teachers – moving them beyond the design phase and into classrooms. The AI tools are now one step closer to becoming available for use in the classroom.
Oak National Academy has invested up to 2 million in AI tools.
Oak National Academy’s AI tools have been improved by this boost. Oak National Academy is a digital curriculum provider that offers free, optional, and high-quality resources. Oak National Academy launched Aila, an AI-powered assistant to help teachers reduce their workload. Oak National Academy has created a tool with the help of expert AI developers, educators, and other education experts. Teachers report that this tool has helped them save 3-4 hours a week on lesson planning.
A new training package and guidance have been developed for teachers and leaders.
Our simple training materials and training resources are designed to assist teachers and school leaders in using AI confidently and safely to enhance the classroom experience of pupils.
We’re creating simple guides for teachers that will explain AI basics and give practical tips on how to use AI safely with children. These resources will teach teachers how to use AI to reduce administrative tasks. This will give them more time to deliver inspiring lessons and less time on paperwork.
Leaders will receive comprehensive support in managing AI throughout their entire setting. These guidelines will assist them in integrating AI into their digital strategies and provide real-life examples of how other colleges and schools have successfully implemented AI. Also included are research insights into the educational benefits that AI can bring to schools and colleges.
This work is a direct response to the requests of schools and colleges for practical assistance to use AI in a safe manner while freeing valuable teaching time.
How do you ensure that your students have the latest technology?
In the next year, we will invest PS45million to improve digital connectivity at schools across the country. This investment is specifically targeted at reducing the digital divide. This funding includes PS25 for wireless network upgrades and PS20 for fibre upgrades. It ensures reliable internet access is standard in all schools.
We believe every child should have equal access to digital education opportunities. This investment will ensure that no child is left behind due to a lack of access to technology, and also support teachers in harnessing educational technology advancements in their classrooms. In addition to this immediate investment, we have launched a consultation about our long-term plan for narrowing the Digital Divide, with a particular focus on setting new standards in digital and technology for schools and colleges throughout the country.