Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly embedded in our everyday lives. In their ‘Generative AI in education’ guidance, the Department for Education (DfE) committed to explore the safe use of new AI technology and maximise the benefits for education. AI is already being used across the sector. The Technology in Schools Survey 2024 to 2025, estimated that it is being used by two fifths of teachers. The key uses of AI they identified were in lesson planning, administration, giving written feedback and marking, as well as in delivering live lessons. The speed at which new AI technology has been adopted by teachers has outpaced many schools’ ability to develop suitable policies. Of teachers surveyed by National Education Union (NEU) in February 2026, only half stated that their school had a policy on AI usage for staff and students.
In July 2026, the Education Policy Institute partnered with the NEU to convene a roundtable of sector experts, trust leaders and academics to discuss the ways in which we can empower teachers to use AI without undermining their professionalism or the ways in which they build relationships to their students. Participants were invited to discuss how policy can uphold the irreplaceable role of teachers, and ensure AI tools and systems support, rather than replace, their core responsibilities and professional competencies.
The roundtable discussion considered:
- How teachers are currently approaching AI and who is driving its use;
- Evidence of the effectiveness of AI and the risks its introduction poses;
- How teacher agency can be upheld during the introduction of AI tools into the education system; and
- How government policy can reflect the needs of teachers.
This report, including recommendations, reflects a range of discussions and views. It does not necessarily represent the views of any particular participant, the author of this report, the NEU or EPI.
