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Artificial intelligence (AI) in education

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is being used by staff and pupils for a range of purposes including: 

  • supporting teaching and learning – for example lesson planning, resource creation, revision materials, assessment design and low-stakes marking
  • supporting administrative work – for example timetabling, policy writing and report writing.

This page brings together some advice and guidance which members may find helpful when navigating the use of AI in their schools and outlines NAHT’s views on the use of AI in education.

Advice and guidance

Understanding AI for School: tips for school leaders: this guide provides an overview of common types of AI and guiding principles for school leaders.

A framework for ethical AI in education: this framework from the Institute for Ethical AI in Education sets out nine objectives for schools to consider when creating a policy for using or procuring AI tools in their schools. 

JCQ Guidance and resources: this page hosts JCQ's guidance on managing the use of AI for those delivering JCQ qualifications as well as a helpful information sheet for teachers, presen-tation materials for senior leaders and teachers and a poster for students.

Using AI in education settings: support materials: these resources have been produced by DfE, the Chiltern Learning Trust (CLT), and the Chartered College of Teaching (CCT) to support schools use generative AI safely and effectively. They include a series of modules designed to build and expand understanding and use of AI, and include a dedicated guide for school leaders.

Generative AI: product safety expectations: the Department for Education has produced guidance outlining the capabilities, features and safety controls that AI tools should meet to be considered safe for users in schools.

AI tools for use in schools

There is already a wide range of generative AI tools available to education professionals for use in schools. This includes both Microsoft and Google who have each produced a series of freely available AI tools as part of their software packages that many schools will have subscribed to.

Microsoft has created an AI tool called Copilot, which pairs with existing applications such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint. There are a range of training resources designed to build understanding of how the tool can be practically applied.

Google Classroom uses Gemini, which is available to all users of Google Workspace for Education. A guide explaining how Gemini can support teachers and leaders can be found here.

Regulatory frameworks

Member case studies

NAHT is gathering examples from our members about their experiences of using AI in their settings and these case studies will be added to this page. 

NAHT’s views on the use of AI in education

In 2023, NAHT responded to the government’s call for evidence on the use of generative artificial intelligence in education

Our key positions regarding AI in education are:

  • NAHT believes that generative AI tools can make certain written tasks quicker and easier but they cannot replace the judgement and deep subject knowledge of a human expert
  • NAHT believes that generative AI has the potential to improve certain aspects of the education system with the understanding that, particularly at the current stage of development, no AI tool is infallible
  • NAHT believes that the potential of generative AI to help reduce workload associated with daily administrative tasks warrants further consideration and investigation.

NAHT will continue to press Department for Education for guidance, support and training for schools in navigating the AI landscape.

School and college staff need a reliable source of evaluation, supported with evidence, on the benefits, limitations and risks of the different AI tools and their potential uses. Pupils need to be taught about AI tools and how to use them appropriately in their learning and wider lives. In addition, such tools increase the importance of pupils developing skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, which they can apply when using such tools.

 

First published 11 July 2025