Commenting on Artificial Advantage, a report from the Sutton Trust on the use of AI in schools and the growing digital divide between private and state schools, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"This is important research that emphasises the risk of a digital divide opening up in schools in the most disadvantaged areas. It shows that well-resourced schools are more able to dedicate time and energy to engaging with AI and using it creatively.
"It is right to call for more support from the central government for training and guidance for staff, as well as research on AI. The NEU believes teachers should have a central role in assessing AI is used in ways which make teaching and learning more effective. It should not be used to plug staff gaps. Clearly, the effective use of AI is something that will need investment in staff time and development. AI is not necessarily the quick fix to workload issues that it is often trumpeted as. For that reason, government needs to match its ambition for AI with funding that will give teachers the time and resources they need to use AI safely and effectively."