The Future of AI in Education: What Schools Need to Know

AI is already transforming education, from lesson planning to personalised learning. But for many schools, the big question isn’t just what AI can do – it’s how to use it effectively and ethically while staying compliant with new regulations.

Darren Coxon is a keynote speaker at the Speakers Agency, and the Co-Founder of Kompass Education and an expert in AI literacy and governance. Darren works with schools to demystify AI and help educators implement it safely. Here’s what schools and colleges need to know about AI in education today – along with practical steps they can take to future-proof their institutions.

AI-powered tools are already helping teachers automate repetitive tasks, such as:

• Generating differentiated lesson plans in seconds
• Creating quizzes, worksheets, and summaries from existing materials
• Providing instant feedback on student writing

Practical steps for educators:

• Try Eduaide.AI (eduaide.ai) to generate lesson ideas, rubrics, and scaffolding strategies.
• Experiment with Google’s AI tools (Google for Education) to automate admin tasks like grading.

AI can be a powerful tool, but it should enhance teacher expertise rather than replace it. Darren Coxon advises that schools establish clear AI guidelines to ensure teachers feel confident using AI without relying on automation at the expense of professional judgment.

AI can adapt lessons to individual student needs in real time, helping struggling learners catch up and challenging advanced students.

How schools can implement AI for personalised learning:

• Platforms like Century Tech (century.tech) adjust content based on student performance, ensuring tailored learning experiences.
• Grammarly for Education (Grammarly) provides instant writing feedback, supporting students in developing literacy skills independently.

AI-driven insights should always be combined with teacher intuition. While AI can highlight learning gaps, human expertise remains essential in delivering effective teaching and support.

With AI tools collecting vast amounts of student data, privacy and ethical considerations must be a priority for schools.

Key safeguarding principles:

• Data protection: Ensure AI tools comply with UK GDPR and the upcoming EU AI Act.
• Bias awareness: AI can reinforce stereotypes, so teachers should review AI-generated content before using it in lessons.
• Transparency: Schools should clearly communicate how AI is being used in policies and guidelines.

Immediate actions schools can take:

• Audit existing AI tools and check their privacy policies to ensure compliance with UK GDPR.
• Use resources like Kompass Education’s AI Governance Framework (kompass.education) to develop AI policies that align with government regulations.

Darren Coxon is currently working with schools across the UK to develop AI literacy and governance strategies, ensuring they stay ahead of regulatory changes while making the most of AI’s potential.

One of the biggest barriers to AI adoption in schools is teacher confidence. A recent study found that only 25% of teachers feel prepared to use AI effectively in their classrooms.

Practical steps to upskill staff:

• Host AI workshops: Darren Coxon provides tailored training to help educators implement AI in a way that aligns with their teaching methods.
• Encourage experimentation: Teachers can start with low-risk tools such as ChatGPT for brainstorming or AI-driven marking assistants.
• Develop AI champions: Schools should appoint tech-savvy staff as AI leads who can support colleagues in adopting AI technology.

For further guidance, educators can access the Department for Education’s AI Guidance for Schools (gov.uk), which provides useful frameworks for integrating AI in a responsible and effective manner.

AI is not a replacement for teachers – it is a tool that can make education more efficient, personalised, and inclusive. However, schools need a clear strategy for AI adoption to ensure they use it safely and effectively.

Darren Coxon works with schools across the UK to develop practical AI strategies and help educators stay compliant with new regulations. To book Darren for training or a keynote talk, contact The Speakers Agency at +44(0)1332 810481 or enquiries@thespeakersagency.com.