How should artificial intelligence be used in education? What opportunities does it offer, what risks does it present and what safeguards should be in place? Most importantly, what will AI mean for the next generation of children and young people?
These are some of the questions the Department for Education wants to explore with young people across England. To help answer them, the DfE commissioned the Children’s Commissioner to establish a youth advisory panel, ensuring children’s voices are at the heart of the national conversation about AI in education.
The panel, which met for the first time over the summer, brings together young people from across England with a range of perspectives and experiences. At the first meeting members discussed how AI is already being used by pupils, the opportunities and challenges it presents for schools, and the impact it could have on future careers and life chances.
Their insights will help inform thinking on how AI can support education while meeting the needs and aspirations of the children and young people who will be most affected by it.
The group will continue to meet over the next 18 months, where regular discussion updates will be posted about specific topics and themes. In the meantime, here’s what some of the young people said after the first meeting:
Boy, 18
“I had a fantastic day with the Children’s Commissioner and the Department for Education. We discussed several positives and negatives. Most notably, how AI can help students learn but opposingly, there’s a huge concern about where our data is going or how the companies behind it are using it. The most concerning issue for many of us is future career prospects, especially in humanities or in computing fields due to AI’s coding ability. I’m looking forward to working closer with the Children’s Commissioner office to discuss AI in Education and I am grateful for the opportunity to have my voice heard!”
Girl, 15
“My highlight of the day was the group discussions around topics such as how AI could shape our future careers and how we as students have used AI thus far in our academic journeys. Over the next eighteen months, I am looking forward to both building productive relationships with the group and contributing towards educational policies around the use of AI in schools.”
Boy, 18
“It was great to almost instantly get into really deep discussions about AI and what its impact on education could be, and hearing new perspectives on this issue beyond just ‘it’s okay for marking’ or ‘it will ruin coursework and written subjects entirely’. I’m looking forward to having more discussions like this and shaping the government’s AI policy during my involvement with this group!”
Girl, 17
“I am incredibly excited being part of the AI in Education Youth Advisory Board. I loved coming to the heart of politics in Westminster where we had interesting debates about different perspectives and experiences with AI which I found fascinating and valuable.”
Boy, 17
“It was an amazing experience and the key takeaway for me was meeting lots of different people from different backgrounds and aspirations, all with different views on AI. I am excited to continue being a part of this group to shape the future of education!”
Girl, 17
“I found it particularly interesting that, although people did recognise the opportunities presented by AI, the overall consensus was that AI was damaging – especially to our generation, as entry-level jobs are being replaced by AI. It was an incredible day and super to hear and share insightful opinions. I look forward to what we accomplish in the future!”
