AI teachers set to be rolled out in British classrooms as early as this summer

 Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has approved a £23million initiative that could see artificial intelligence tutoring systems deployed in secondary schools as soon as this summer.

The controversial programme will focus on pupils aged 13 to 15 from disadvantaged backgrounds, with selected technology firms permitted to trial their products in pilot schools before a wider rollout at the end of next year. 

Ms Phillipson argues the scheme will transform private tutoring from something only wealthy families can access into a resource available to every child who requires it, The Mail on Sunday reports.

The Government claims AI-powered learning tools could benefit approximately 450,000 pupils across the UK by bridging the gap between those whose parents can afford private tuition and those who cannot. Critics have responded with fierce opposition to the initiative, accusing ministers of treating vulnerable young people as test subjects for unproven technology.

Molly Kingsley, co-founder of the campaign group SafeScreens, said: "While framing the programme as levelling the playing field, the DfE has also overlooked the teacher-led support these vulnerable pupils need most."

She accused the Education Secretary of declaring the tools safe before they had even been designed or tested with teachers."This seems to be the DfE prioritising cost savings over proven education," Ms Kingsley said. "This is not equity but a false economy set to experiment on disadvantaged children."

FULL ARTICLE AT: https://www.gbnews.com/news/ai-teachers-set-to-be-rolled-out-in-british-classrooms-as-early-as-this-summer