Government project aims to make AI work better as teaching aid

Artificial intelligence (AI) methods are poised to become more embedded in UK schools as the government today unveiled a new multi-million pound project aimed at helping teachers mark work and plan lessons.

The government is set to spend £3 million to create a "content store" which will pool the government's official assessments, curriculum guidance and teaching materials.

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This data can then be used by AI companies to train their tools to generate content, like tailored lesson plans and workbooks.

A share of a further £1 million will be awarded to those tech firms with the best ideas on how to put the data into practice to reduce teacher workload.

Surrey's Bourne Education Trust already supports 26 of its schools to enhance their lessons and cut down the time they need to spend on admin by using AI.

Teacher Chris Goodall and head of digital education at the Trust said AI had been a "hugely powerful tool" for him and colleagues.

"It allows us to create engaging, personalised learning experiences for our students while also significantly reducing the time taken to create them," he said.

"Personally, I’ve used AI to quickly generate scaffolded activities, adapt materials for students with special educational needs, and create more engaging lessons that are accessible to all.

"The time saved allows school staff to focus on what matters most, interacting with students and providing individualised feedback and support.

"The content store will take this to the next level by offering easy access to high quality evidence based and legally compliant education materials. Developed with input from educators it supports effective teaching practices and fosters collaboration and innovation."

AI firms, which are awarded funding, will build an AI tool to help teachers specifically with feedback and marking by March next year. Applications open on September 9 this year.

Minister for early education Stephen Morgan said: "Today’s world-leading announcement marks a huge step forward for AI in the classroom.

"This investment will allow us to safely harness the power of tech to make it work for our hard-working teachers, easing the pressures and workload burdens we know are facing the profession and freeing up time, allowing them to focus on face-to-face teaching."

New research has shown that parents want teachers to use generative AI to enable them to have more time helping children in the classroom.

But teachers and AI developers say better data is needed to make these technologies work properly.