lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-04 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-04 conversation_6

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to introduce education in (1) the use, and (2) the development of, artificial intelligence technologies within the school curriculum. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department is committed to playing its part in realising the vision of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Opportunity Action Plan.

Effective use of technologies like AI can power the future of learning by improving access to education and outcomes, reducing staff workload, and running operations more efficiently. Technology works best as a tool used by great teachers, and it is important to take a joined-up pedagogical approach.

AI, when made safe and reliable, represents an exciting opportunity to give our schools' leaders and teachers a helping hand with classroom life. Research shows parents are supportive of teachers using generative AI if it allows them to focus on helping children in the classroom with face-to-face teaching, which supports the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity.

Widespread use of generative AI tools is only possible once the basics of connectivity, devices, and capability are in place. The department continues to support the sector to build these fundamentals of technology.

The department needs to ensure that AI is safe and effective. In August 2024, we announced the Education Content Store, a joint pilot with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, aiming to make the underpinning content and data that are needed for great AI tools available to developers. In parallel, the department has launched innovation funding to encourage developers to make use of the content store and stimulate the market to create high quality marking and feedback tools. In January 2025 we published a set of expectations AI tools should meet to be considered safe for classroom use. These expectations are attached and also available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/generative-ai-product-safety-expectations/generative-ai-product-safety-expectations. To support a clear ask from teachers and leaders, we are developing online resources and guidance to help teachers and leaders use AI safely in their setting. This will be published in spring.

Education settings need to remain aware of the risks of implementing new technologies and take reasonable steps to mitigate them. Where applicable they should take appropriate steps to prevent malpractice involving the use of generative AI and other emerging technologies.

Programming, algorithms and the use of information technology are taught to pupils through the statutory national curriculum subject of computing from key stage 1 to key stage 4, providing the foundation for further study in areas such as AI.

To support the teaching of AI, the department’s funded National Centre for Computing Education delivers a range of courses for teachers on machine learning and AI, ethics, and teaching about AI in primary and secondary computing. This includes ‘AI in key stage 3 computing’, which supports teachers to understand what AI is and how it can be used for asset creation, equipping them with the knowledge required to promote the effective and safe use of AI tools.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The review will seek to deliver a curriculum that readies young people for life and work, building the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to thrive. This includes considering how young people will acquire the key digital skills needed for future life.

The Review Group will publish an interim report in early spring setting out its interim findings and confirming the key areas for further work, and publish its final report with recommendations this autumn. The department will take decisions on what changes to make to the curriculum in light of these recommendations.

Generative AI: product safety expectations (pdf, 2315.2KB)