Across LEO Academies we are all witnessing firsthand the transformative power of technology in education. And now, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to take us even further.

Some of you might be hesitant about AI in the classroom. After all, we have all seen Science fiction movies where AI takes over the world. But AI is not going to replace us. Instead, AI is going to be our partner in education, helping us to do our jobs better than ever before.

How AI Can Benefit Teachers - AI can help us in so many ways. For example, AI can automate many of the administrative tasks that take up so much time, such as marking, planning and tracking attendance. This will free staff up to spend more time with our children, providing individualised instruction and support.

AI can also provide us with real-time insights into our children’s learning. By analysing data, AI can identify children who are struggling and those who are excelling. This information can help us to tailor our teaching to meet the needs of each child.

How AI Can Benefit Children - AI-powered tutoring systems can provide targeted instruction and support, addressing specific gaps in knowledge and skills. Additionally, AI can create engaging and interactive learning environments, fostering a love of learning and promoting deeper understanding.

Addressing the Risks of AI - Of course, there are also some risks associated with AI in education. One major concern is data privacy and security. AI systems collect and analyse vast amounts of student data, raising concerns about potential data breaches and unauthorised access so it is important not to include any sensitive data into generative AI sources.

We also need to be mindful of the potential for bias in AI algorithms. AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on. If the data is biased, the AI system will be biased. This could lead to unfair or discriminatory outcomes for certain students.

We are excited to see how AI will continue to evolve and LEO Academy Trust are committed to working to use AI to its full potential in our classrooms.

AI In Education Website - AI in Education is a cross-sector initiative conceived by Sir Anthony Seldon, who has a long interest in AI. It was announced at a conference on AI in education held at Epsom College on 18 May 2023, and in a letter signed by 60 school leader signatories to The Times on 20 May. The story made front page news.

The initiative was instigated by Bourne Education Trust (BET), a multi academy trust, and Epsom College. It brings together senior and experienced figures who have worked in both the state and independent sectors.

It is motivated by a belief that if schools and colleges are to optimise the benefits of AI they will need to supplement guidance from the government and tech industry to provide real-time, specific and informed advice to the sector.

LEO Academy Trust is proud to be providing case studies as part of this fantastic initiative. The website includes many different ways of utilising AI in the classroom. To visit the website, click here.