In November 2023, the Department for Education published a report on the use of Generative AI in education. The UK Government have also announced an investment of up to £2 million to provide new AI-powered resources for teachers in England. 

Key points

• Artificial intelligence tools have the potential to provide different ways of learning and to help educators with lesson planning, marking and other tasks.  
• Some policymakers and education experts predict that AI technologies, if properly implemented, could improve learning outcomes and reduce staff workloads in educational settings, including in schools, colleges, and universities. 
• Use of AI in education poses several challenges. In addition to general concerns about bias, safety, and the use of personal data, many AI tools have not been developed with younger audiences in mind and could expose learners to inappropriate content. 
• Some stakeholders have raised concerns that an over-reliance on AI tools could lead to the erosion of teaching, writing and reasoning skills, and may fundamentally change the educational experience offered to young people. 
• Research suggests that generative AI tools such as ChatGPT are increasingly able to produce text capable of passing some exams, which risks undermining the validity of some assessment methods. 
• Following a call for evidence, the DfE published a report on the usage of generative AI in education in November 2023. It found that early adopters of AI in education mostly held positive views of the technology, however respondents also expressed significant concerns. In October 2023, the DfE organised a two-day ‘hackathon’ with educators and data scientists to determine how AI could be used in schools most effectively. 
• Stakeholders have indicated that the successful implementation of AI in education will require: evidence demonstrating where AI can be effective at delivering educational outcomes; training and guidance for educators; and further clarity surrounding the legal frameworks that control how AI collects and uses educator and learner data.  
• Stakeholders also indicate that there is a need to tackle ‘digital divides’, otherwise AI tools may not be available to disadvantaged groups and may therefore exacerbate inequalities. 

Following on from this a roundtable has been held to allow the government to discuss the potential benefits of artificial intelligence in education settings.

Hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Education, the discussion revolved around how the education sector can harness the benefits of new, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. In attendance were teachers, education professionals, and representatives of the technology community. Click on the link below for further information.

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