Phil Blackburn
Chair, NAACE
Artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining education. Intelligent tools are transforming lesson planning, personalising learning and reducing teacher workload — offering new ways to engage students and enhance outcomes.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping education at a pace few could have predicted. From adaptive learning tools and automated assessment to intelligent tutoring systems and data-driven decision-making, AI holds the potential to personalise learning, reduce workload and empower teachers and students. Yet with such rapid advancement comes a pressing question: how can schools harness these benefits safely, strategically and equitably?
NAACE’s role in supporting schools
This is where NAACE, the Education Technology Association, plays a vital role. As schools across the UK and beyond navigate the complexities of AI adoption, there needs to be structure, support and standards to ensure technology enhances education rather than overwhelms it.
ERF: building readiness and resilience
Through the EdTech Review Framework (ERF), NAACE helps schools evaluate their digital maturity — from infrastructure and leadership to teaching and learning impact. This evidence-based approach enables schools to assess their readiness for AI integration, ensuring decisions align with their vision, values and capacity. It also supports leaders in making informed choices about safeguarding, cybersecurity and data ethics — critical considerations as AI tools process increasing amounts of student information.
With guidance, schools can develop thoughtful strategies that balance innovation
with inclusion, ethics and wellbeing — ensuring that AI serves learning, not the other way around.
Empowering educators for digital leadership
It is recognised that AI is not a standalone innovation but part of a broader digital transformation. For many schools, computing coordinators and digital leads are now expected to offer strategic guidance far beyond their original remit. By providing frameworks, professional development and a collaborative community, we want to empower educators to manage this expanded role confidently and coherently.
Shaping a responsible AI future
Ultimately, AI’s success in education depends not on the technology itself, but on how it is implemented and understood. With guidance, schools can develop thoughtful strategies that balance innovation with inclusion, ethics and wellbeing — ensuring that AI serves learning, not the other way around.
In an era defined by data, disruption and digital opportunity, we should be helping schools stay ahead of the curve — supporting leaders to build a resilient, future-ready education system where technology and humanity work hand in hand.
