AI Transforming Classrooms for Teachers and Students

Published Date : 10/06/2025 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing education, from helping teachers with administrative tasks to providing personalized feedback to students. Discover how AI can enhance the learning experience and support educators. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. It’s already making significant impacts across various sectors, from law enforcement to healthcare. In the realm of education, AI is being harnessed to modernize our education system, support teachers, and deliver better outcomes for students.

The integration of AI in classrooms is aimed at transforming the educational landscape. Here’s everything you need to know about how AI can revolutionize education.

Are Teachers Allowed to Use AI?

Yes, teachers can use AI to assist with a variety of tasks, including lesson planning, resource creation, marking, feedback, and administrative duties. However, they must exercise professional judgment to ensure that the AI-generated content is accurate and appropriate. The ultimate responsibility for the content and its use remains with the teachers and their institutions. Schools and colleges can establish their own rules regarding AI usage, provided they comply with legal requirements for data protection, child safety, and intellectual property.

More detailed information on generative AI in education can be found in the government’s policy paper.

How Could AI Help Teachers?

AI has the potential to significantly reduce the time teachers spend on administrative tasks. From drafting curriculum plans to creating high-quality teaching resources, AI can streamline these processes, allowing teachers to focus more on teaching and supporting their students. The government is funding the development of innovative AI tools that can handle tasks such as assessing handwritten work, providing feedback on hand-drawn maps, and even recognizing mistakes in soldering on circuit boards.

By reducing the burden of repetitive tasks, AI can help teachers dedicate more time to face-to-face interactions with students.

Will Teachers Be Replaced by AI?

Absolutely not. Teachers are irreplaceable, and AI is not designed to substitute for their professional judgment or the personal relationships they build with students. The development of AI tools is intended to support teachers, not replace them. These tools are created to handle tasks that can be automated, allowing teachers to focus more on the human aspects of teaching that are crucial for student success.

Using AI to reduce workload could also help address recruitment and retention challenges in the teaching profession, making it a more attractive career choice.

Are Students Allowed to Use AI?

The decision on whether students can use AI is left to individual schools and colleges, but it must be implemented with the right safeguards. This includes close supervision, the use of tools with safety and filtering features, and adherence to age restrictions. Many AI tools are designed for users 18 and older. Schools and colleges must also consider how AI usage affects learning and whether homework policies need to be updated.

Each institution can decide how and when AI is used, but student safety should always be the top priority.

How Could AI Help Students?

High-quality, personalized feedback is crucial for improving student attainment, and AI tools can facilitate this. AI can speed up marking and help teachers better understand each student’s progress, enabling them to tailor their teaching to individual needs. While AI will not replace the important relationship between students and teachers, it can enhance it by giving teachers more time to focus on the human side of teaching.

What Are You Doing to Develop AI in Education?

The government is taking significant steps to leverage AI in education. From investing in AI tools to upskilling teachers and leaders, and gathering evidence on AI usage, the focus is on maximizing the benefits of AI in the educational sector.

# Launched the AI Tools for Education Competition and Content Store

In August 2024, the government announced two initiatives to stimulate the education technology sector. The content store, a £3 million data library funded by the Department for Science and Technology, will provide large language AI models with high-quality educational information, such as curriculums and mark schemes. This will enhance the effectiveness of AI tools in producing educational resources.

The AI Tools for Education competition, funded with £1 million through Innovate UK’s contracts for innovation program, awarded 16 innovators to develop AI tools that will help reduce teacher workload. An additional £1 million in funding is accelerating the development of these tools, bringing them closer to everyday use in classrooms.

# Invested Up to £2 Million in AI Tools for Oak National Academy

Oak National Academy, a provider of free, high-quality digital curriculum resources, received a £2 million boost to develop and improve its AI tools. Oak has launched an AI-powered lesson assistant, Aila, which has been reported to save teachers around 3-4 hours per week in lesson planning.

# Developed a New Package of Training and Guidance for Teachers and Leaders

The government has created training and resources to help teachers and school leaders use AI safely and effectively. For teachers, simple online guides explain AI basics and provide practical tips for safe AI usage. For leaders, comprehensive support is available to manage AI across their institutions, including real examples of successful AI implementation and research insights on the educational benefits of AI.

This work directly responds to the needs of schools and colleges, providing practical help to use AI safely while freeing up valuable teaching time.

How Are You Making Sure Pupils Have Access to the Right Technology?

The government is investing £45 million to enhance digital connectivity in schools, targeting the digital divide. This includes £25 million for wireless network improvements and £20 million for fiber upgrades, ensuring reliable internet access across all schools. The goal is to ensure that every child has equal access to digital learning opportunities, supporting teachers in harnessing the latest educational technology.

Alongside this immediate investment, a consultation has been launched to develop long-term strategies for narrowing the digital divide, with a focus on establishing new digital and technology standards for schools and colleges nationwide. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: Can teachers use AI to create lesson plans?

A: Yes, teachers can use AI to help with creating lesson plans, resources, marking work, and providing feedback. However, they must ensure the content is accurate and appropriate.

Q: Will AI replace teachers?

A: No, AI is designed to support teachers, not replace them. AI tools handle repetitive tasks, allowing teachers to focus more on face-to-face teaching and building relationships with students.

Q: How can AI help students?

A: AI can provide high-quality, personalized feedback and speed up marking, helping teachers better understand each student's progress and tailor their teaching to individual needs.

Q: What is the government doing to develop AI in education?

A: The government is investing in AI tools, upskilling teachers and leaders, and gathering evidence on AI usage. Initiatives include the AI Tools for Education competition and content store, and a £2 million investment in AI tools for Oak National Academy.

Q: How is the government ensuring equal access to technology for students?

A: The government is investing £45 million to enhance digital connectivity in schools, with £25 million for wireless network improvements and £20 million for fiber upgrades. A consultation is also underway to develop long-term strategies for narrowing the digital divide. 

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