Artificial Intelligence: developing our approach - Estyn

Artificial Intelligence: developing our approach

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Person yn defnyddio gliniadur gydag eiconau sy'n symboleiddio cysyniadau digidol fel deallusrwydd artiffisial, fideo, addysg, a thargedau yn arnofio uwchben y sgrin, mewn lleoliad swyddfa fodern.

For the past few years, we have been exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can effectively and responsibly support our work. Our ambition is to develop a safe environment for AI which will enable more efficient working. Having robust governance arrangements in place will support clear guidance to our staff and stakeholders. Our ambition, guiding principles and priorities for 2025-26 in relation to AI are outlined in our strategic approach which can be read in full here.

During the coming year we will focus our work in three main areas:

  • Estyn’s AI work: We will continue to safely experiment with how AI can support efficiency and enhance our own work, including incorporating areas we have been piloting into our business as usual
  • Education and training AI rapid review: We will enhance our collective understanding of how education and training providers are using AI and share effective practice
  • International collaboration: We will work with international partners to evaluate how AI can enhance inspection work, drawing on international best practice

Jassa Scott, Strategic Director leading on Artificial Intelligence at Estyn said:

“Like all education and training providers, we are keen to explore, both within and beyond Estyn, the challenges and opportunities that AI presents. Internally, we are looking at how AI can help us improve the way we inspect and engage with schools and at the same time, we are working with a range of stakeholders, across Wales and internationally, to share learnings and best practice which will inform our development. We are committed to making sure AI is used safely and ethically, ensuring that it supports rather than replaces human expertise and judgement.

“There is a rapidly growing interest in what this technology can do and we are keen to support the wider system with effective and responsible use. We recently carried out a survey on behalf of Welsh Government to gather a national picture of how AI is already being used in schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs). We were delighted that more than 300 education professionals gave us their views and we follow up in more detail with a range of providers to identify effective practice to share. We want to understand and share how AI is being used in classrooms, what is working well, and where the challenges lie. The findings from this review will help shape future guidance and support for schools and PRUs across Wales. The full Thematic Review –  Understanding AI in Schools and PRUs, will be published on October 9 and we look forward to sharing the findings and ensuring that clear and accessible guidance is widely promoted to support schools.