Driving innovation in education through AI: share your experience
As education continues to evolve, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is bringing both challenges and opportunities. Across Wales, education and training providers are starting to explore how AI can support their work, from streamlining admin tasks to enhancing learning experiences. At Estyn, we are on a similar journey, looking at how AI can help us improve the way we inspect and engage with schools.
You can help us to gain a better understanding of the use of AI in education and Wales and help to shape its future by completing our brief survey: Artificial intelligence in education – share your views
AI in Welsh Education: The Journey Begins
Schools and training providers in Wales are beginning to see the potential of AI. Whether it‘s personalising learning to suit individual students or using AI-driven tools to reduce workload, there is a growing interest in what this technology can do. While some are already experimenting with AI, others are taking cautious first steps, keen to understand how to make the most of it safely and effectively.
Estyn’s Approach: Using AI to Enhance, Not Replace
Like schools, we at Estyn are exploring how AI can support our work. We have been focusing on how AI can help free up more time for inspectors to engage directly with teachers, parents, and learners. By automating routine tasks and helping us analyse information more efficiently, we can spend more time having meaningful conversations and really getting to the heart of what is happening in schools and training providers.
Of course, using AI responsibly is key. We are committed to making sure it is used safely and ethically, ensuring that it supports rather than replaces human expertise and judgement.
Learning from Our European Partners
To help us on this journey, we have been working closely with other education inspectorates across Europe. By sharing ideas and learning from each other’s experiences, we are building a better understanding of how AI can be used in education and inspection. This international collaboration is helping us shape our own approach, making sure we stay informed about best practice and new developments.
A Thematic Review: Understanding AI in Schools
As part of our work, we are carrying out a thematic review on behalf of the Welsh Government to get a national picture of how AI is being used in schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs). We want to understand how AI is being used in classrooms, what is working well, and where the challenges lie. More importantly, we are looking to gather examples of effective practice that we can share with others. The findings from this review will help shape future guidance and support for schools across Wales.
Together, we can navigate this new and exciting area, supporting each other on the journey and making sure AI is used in ways that benefit learners, teachers, and the wider education system.