Schools bewildered by AI advances, say head teachers

School principals warn that schools in the UK are confused by the rapid change in artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on education.

In a letter to the Times, educators from both the state and private sectors say the developments are “confusing”.

They set up a panel of experts to advise schools on which areas are “beneficial” and which are “harmful”.

The technology is evolving “far too quickly” for the government alone to adequately advise schools, they say.

AI is the “greatest threat but also potentially the greatest benefit to our students, staff and schools,” the teachers, led by Sir Anthony Seldon, headmaster of Epsom College, say in the letter.

The group has also questioned the role of digital companies behind AI.

“We have no confidence that the big digital corporations will be able to self-regulate in the interests of students, employees and schools,” the letter said.

Concerns about AI have grown rapidly in recent months with the popularity of the ChatGPT bot, which has passed trials.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently said that regulation needs to evolve in tandem with rapid changes in AI. He said that “guard rails” should be put in place to maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing the risks to society.

The group of educators said they were pleased that the government was “getting to the heart of the matter” on this matter, but felt the need to set up a dedicated body made up of leading teachers, “led by a panel of independent digital and AI experts”.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Education told the Times that the Secretary of Education “made it clear that the Government is ready to seize the opportunities – and manage the risks – that exist in this area, and we have already published information to encourage schools to do so.” to support.”

“We continue to work with experts, including in education, to share and identify best practices.”