Key Questions for Schools When Considering the Use of AI 

In the last few years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has developed at pace and its use within UK schools is gaining momentum. Last month, the UK Government announced a project to enhance the ability of AI generative tools to help teachers with marking and lesson planning. And new research shows that parents are largely supportive of teachers using AI, if it allows them to spend more time on face-to-face teaching.

For education, the promise of AI is that it could positively transform teaching and learning, not just by saving teachers time but also by providing personalised learning at scale, automating admin processes, enhancing student engagement, interpreting data, and much more. 

But what factors should schools consider before adopting AI at scale? 

Here are six important questions school leaders should ask before adopting AI resources for classroom use:

1. What Are Your Educational Goals?

The most important question schools should consider is whether AI is the right tool to solve their educational goals. AI can be highly effective when used for personalised learning,  predictive analytics, admin automation and boosting student engagement. Clarifying these goals will help schools choose AI tools that align with their vision and objectives.

For example, if the goal is to provide personalised learning experiences, AI tools that adapt digital content to individual pupil learning needs would be ideal. Conversely, if the focus is on streamlining administrative processes, AI tools designed to improve attendance might be more suitable. 

2. How Will Data Privacy and Security be Managed?

Data privacy and security are key concerns when implementing AI in educational settings. AI tools often need access to student data, including academic records, personal information, and even data on behaviour. Schools should scrutinise who has access to this data and how it will be collected, stored, and protected to prevent unauthorised access and breaches.

Key considerations include compliance with data protection laws such as the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA). Schools should ask AI suppliers about their data security measures, encryption protocols, inclusion of data in future foundational models and policies for data access and retention. Ensuring robust data privacy and security frameworks not only protects pupils but also builds trust among parents and the wider school community. 

The Department for Education has published a number of resources which schools can consult for additional insight and guidance, including a policy paper on generative AI in education plus a guide to help schools navigate the benefits and risks of AI, particularly in relation to data protection.

3. Is it User-Friendly and Accessible?

The success of AI implementation will depend on user-friendliness and accessibility. Schools need to assess whether AI tools are intuitive and easy to use for both teachers and pupils. Complex AI tools and initiatives can lead to frustration and underutilization, diluting potential benefits. This can be prevented by conducting pilot programmes or trial runs to gather feedback from teachers and pupils’ usability. Schools should also introduce comprehensive training to help teachers integrate AI into their practices and lessons

4. Are there any Ethical Implications and Bias Concerns?

AI systems can be susceptible to biases, which are present in the data on which they are trained. These biases can inadvertently lead to the unfair treatment of pupils by perpetuating existing inequalities. All schools must critically examine the ethical implications of deploying AI tools in their classrooms.  Questions to address include: How traceable and transparent are the AI algorithms? Are there mechanisms in place to identify and mitigate biases? How can the school ensure fairness and equity in educational outcomes with AI? Promoting awareness and understanding of AI ethics among teachers and students is essential ensuring that AI is implemented equitably and responsibly. 

5. How Can We Ensure Transparency and Integrity?

Understanding how AI works can be a challenge. However, it’s essential that staff learn the fundamental principles of how AI operates and why it produces specific results. While large language models (LLM) are well known for their ability to understand and generate text responses, there are other branches of AI such as machine learning that can work brilliantly for teachers e.g. via automating marking or providing content recommendations. AI products should clearly communicate not only their utility, but how they work. Engaging the community and stakeholders is crucial too. Maintaining transparency about the goals, benefits, and challenges of AI investments, and involving parents, pupils and community members in the decision-making process, will build support and ensure the initiatives meet the community’s needs. 

6. How will new AI Initiatives be Scaled?

Introducing AI in schools involves more than an initial software and hardware investment. There are lots of ongoing costs such as maintenance, updates, training, and support. All schools should evaluate whether their AI investment is sustainable and scalable in the long term and ensure that any tools they choose can evolve and adapt to changing needs over time. Monitoring and evaluating the performance of AI tools will allow for continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making. Through thorough planning and strategic investment, schools can maximise the benefits and foster an innovative and adaptable educational environment.

Conclusion

The decision to implement AI in schools should be approached carefully. By asking the right questions and thoroughly evaluating the implications, schools can make informed decisions which will help them to use AI to its full potential while safeguarding the interests of pupils and staff. The successful integration of AI in schools hinges on clearly answering the questions above. With these factors in mind, schools can pave the way for a future where AI enhances the educational experience for every pupil, preparing them for a world where technology and learning go hand in hand.

The author

Paul Lipman

Paul Lipman is UK Director of Product Management at Discovery Education, the global edtech leader. Paul is dedicated to creating intuitive digital resources that empower all teachers to create modern learning environments.