Schools ‘bewildered’ by very fast rate of change in AI – education figures

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A letter to The Times, signed by more than 60 education figures, says: “Schools are bewildered by the very fast rate of change in AI, and seek secure guidance and counsel on the best way forward. The truth is that AI is moving far too quickly for government or Parliament alone to provide the real time advice that schools need Education figures in letter to The Times “We have no confidence that the large digital companies will be capable of regulating themselves in the interests of students, staff and schools. “Neither in the past has government shown itself capable or willing to do so.” The heads said they are pleased that the Government is now “grasping the nettle” but added: “The truth is that AI is moving far too quickly for government or Parliament alone to provide the real-time advice that schools need. “We are announcing today our own cross-sector body composed of leading teachers in our schools, guided by a panel of independent digital and AI experts, to advise schools on which AI developments are likely to be beneficial, and which are damaging.” According to The Times, the heads, led by Sir Anthony Seldon, the headteacher of Epsom College, said schools “must collaborate to ensure that AI works in their best interests and that of pupils, not of large education technology companies”.