Members of the UK parliament’s cross party education committee have launched a new inquiry into the use of artificial intelligence and education technology across the entire education system, spanning early years settings, schools, colleges and universities. The committee will assess both the potential of these tools to transform learning and teaching and the risks of deploying rapidly evolving systems without clear values based decision making or robust evaluation frameworks.
The inquiry follows a January speech by education secretary Bridget Phillipson, who said artificial intelligence could be “the biggest boost for education in the last 500 years” while stressing that this promise brings a responsibility for government to “get this right”. The committee will look at how artificial intelligence is reshaping learning and affecting core skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and oracy, and will consider whether the growing use of artificial intelligence could entrench or widen inequalities between students. It will also examine how far students are being supported to use artificial intelligence safely and responsibly.
Children’s digital rights will be a central focus, including how to balance privacy and participation, and how to address safeguarding risks linked to fast evolving artificial intelligence tools and addictive design features. According to a School’s Week survey, 60% of teachers are now using artificial intelligence for work purposes, with over a fifth using it daily, and mps will explore how teachers, lecturers and early years practitioners are using these systems in their daily work, whether they receive adequate support, and how artificial intelligence and education technology may change traditional assessment methods. Alongside the inquiry, the committee is planning work on screentime and online safety in the context of the government’s consultation on banning social media for under 16s. Committee chair Helen Hayes said the investigation aims to separate artificial intelligence fact from fiction and to identify how government can maximise benefits while putting safeguards in place so every child and young person can thrive.
