Thoughtful, evidence-informed approaches to AI in education
AI is increasingly present in educational practice, often ahead of shared frameworks, policy clarity, or a consistent understanding of risk. Schools and trusts are navigating complex questions about appropriateness, safeguarding, data protection, and professional judgement.
The Institute of AI in Education (IAIE) exists to support education settings to engage with AI carefully, responsibly, and in line with national expectations. Our work focuses on decision support, professional learning, and structured pilot activity, not on promoting tools or accelerating adoption.
Our approach
IAIE takes a guidance-led, decision-support approach to AI in education.
We start with national guidance, professional standards, and safeguarding expectations, and work collaboratively with educators to explore how AI-related decisions can be made consistently, transparently, and defensibly.
Our work is grounded in three principles:
Design and Deliver Pilot Programmes
IAIE designs and delivers small-scale, carefully structured pilot programmes with schools, trusts, and partners. These pilots explore how AI can be used appropriately within educational settings, always within clear boundaries of safeguarding, data protection, and professional judgement.
Our pilots are:
Each pilot is treated as a learning opportunity, generating insights that inform future practice and decision-making.
Our Approach in Practice
Across all activity, IAIE is guided by a consistent approach:
Support Professional Development
We provide professional development for teachers and school leaders focused on responsible AI use in education. Our CPD is designed to be relevant, realistic, and respectful of professional expertise.
Professional development through IAIE:
The aim is not to promote technology adoption, but to build professional confidence and critical understanding.
Promote Responsible and Ethical Practice
Responsible AI use is central to all IAIE activity. We work with schools and partners to consider:
Rather than treating these as add-ons, ethical and safeguarding considerations are embedded from the outset in programme design and delivery.
Generate and Share Evidence
IAIE places strong emphasis on evidence-informed practice. We design our work to generate meaningful insights about:
Evaluation is proportionate and practical, avoiding unnecessary burden on educators while still supporting learning and accountability. Findings are used to refine programmes and shared with partners and the wider sector where appropriate.
