With teacher workload at an all-time high and recruitment becoming increasingly difficult, schools are looking for smart, sustainable solutions. Could Artificial Intelligence be part of the answer? Far from replacing teachers, AI in Education has the potential to support them—taking over repetitive admin tasks, enabling more personalised learning and freeing up precious time for what really matters: teaching.

In this blog, we explore how the DfE intends for AI to reshape classrooms and how it could rebuild the profession for the better.

What is AI in Education?

AI in education refers to the use of intelligent software and systems that can mimic human thinking, analyse data, and make decisions to support learning and teaching.

In simple terms, AI enables machines to perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence—such as understanding natural language, recognising patterns, or solving problems.

Critics will immediately point to a future where robots are teaching our children instead of teachers. But the creativity that teachers can bring to the learning process and the student teacher relationship are things that can never be displaced by AI.

In fact, these are the strengths that many teachers join the profession to utilise.

By integrating AI into everyday school life, teachers gain more time to focus on what matters most: meaningful interactions with students, fostering creativity, and optimise student learning.

From Paperwork to Planning: What AI Can Do for Teachers

One of the most promising benefits of AI in education is its ability to take on time-consuming tasks, which would allow teachers to focus more on teaching and connecting with students.

AI tools have the ability to streamline everything from attendance tracking and marking to report writing and observations.

AI is also becoming a powerful assistant in creating educational resources—generating worksheets, questionnaires and activities tailored to curriculum standards or student needs.

When it comes to lesson planning, AI can suggest content, structure lessons, and even align them with learning objectives, saving teachers hours of preparation time.

AI has the potential to support personalised learning by analysing student performance data and recommending targeted activities or interventions. This means teachers can better meet individual student needs without having to manually sift through data.

In the realm of assessment, AI can evaluate both written and practical work—offering not just grades, but also constructive feedback. From essay evaluations to coding projects or even quality of soldering in design technology, AI can help to make feedback more immediate, detailed, and actionable.

With the right tools, AI can empower teachers to do more of what they do best.

Official Insights: How the UK Department for Education Views AI in Education

The UK Department for Education (DfE) has been actively exploring the integration of AI to alleviate teachers’ workloads by automating repetitive tasks.

In March 2025, the DfE emphasised that AI tools are being developed specifically to support teachers, aiming to handle tasks that divert time from direct classroom interactions. The goal is to enable educators to focus more on face-to-face teaching, enhancing the overall educational experience. ​

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has also highlighted the potential of AI in education. In an interview with The Guardian, she expressed that technology could play a significant role in freeing up teachers’ time, allowing for more direct human interaction in teaching. Phillipson emphasised the importance of supporting staff in utilising technology effectively to deliver better education outcomes.

Furthermore, the DfE has funded AI tools designed to assist teachers in lesson planning, demonstrating a commitment to leveraging technology to reduce administrative burdens.

At a DfE funded hackathon, developers showed Phillipson how AI can save teachers time with marking handwritten and practical work and writing up observations – all of this will be music to teachers’ ears!

By implementing these AI solutions, the DfE aims to make the teaching profession more attractive, addressing the issue of why teachers are leaving the profession by allowing educators to concentrate on their primary role: teaching. ​

Beyond Admin: How AI can Enhance Teaching and Learning

At the time of writing, the DfE focus on AI in education appears to be on reducing administrative workloads. But its potential goes far beyond that.

AI can play a crucial role in helping teachers understand each pupil’s progress in real time. By analysing patterns in student performance, AI tools can give teachers a clearer picture of where each learner is excelling or struggling—allowing for more informed and responsive teaching.

One of AI’s most impactful uses is its ability to adapt lessons to meet individual needs, begging the question as to whether AI could help with the crisis in SEND education.

Students can receive explanations, practice questions, or learning paths tailored specifically to their understanding and pace. Whether a student needs extra help filling in knowledge gaps or is ready to move ahead, AI can adjust the learning journey accordingly—boosting confidence and improving outcomes.

On a broader level, AI can also analyse school-wide data to support strategic decision-making. For instance, it can help identify students who may need additional support early on, allowing interventions to happen before issues escalate. This kind of data-driven insight could empower schools to allocate resources more effectively and focus support where it’s needed most.

By supporting both teachers and students in smarter, more targeted ways, AI could transform not just how schools operate—but how every learner is supported to thrive.

AI in Education: Changing the Face of Teaching

Incorporating AI into education has the potential to ease the growing pressures on the teaching profession. By automating time-consuming tasks like marking and administrative work, AI can significantly reduce workload—helping to tackle the recruitment and retention challenges schools are facing. With more time freed up, teachers can focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality, face-to-face teaching that drives student success.

Evidence shows that personalised, high-quality feedback is one of the most powerful tools for improving attainment. AI can support this by providing instant, tailored responses, enabling students to get the feedback they need more regularly. For Early Career Teachers, AI offers extra scaffolding—making lesson planning, assessment, and differentiation more manageable as they build confidence in the classroom. Additionally, by removing unconscious bias from marking and assessment, AI can contribute to fairer outcomes for all learners.

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