Responding to the education secretary's plans for a digital revolution in schools, including greater training in use of AI and a commitment to safety, Sarah Hannafin, head of policy for school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“While AI has huge potential benefits for schools and children’s learning, it is important that these are harnessed in the right way, and that teachers retain professional oversight of learning. Such tools cannot replace the judgement and deep subject knowledge of a human expert.

“It’s vital that teachers and school leaders receive high-quality funded training and the guidance needed to feel confident using AI themselves as well as teaching pupils about how to use AI tools appropriately in their learning and wider lives.

“Teachers are struggling with unsustainable levels of workload, so it makes sense to explore AI’s potential to reduce this – however, it alone will not be enough to address the severe recruitment and retention crisis facing schools, with other measures, including action on pay, fundamental reform of inspection, and more flexible working, all crucial.”