Ofsted has released new information on how it will approach assessments of AI use in schools and colleges. The latest guidance covers expectations around the use of AI in education settings, and the specific AI risks that may be evaluated during inspections.
This article highlights 3 key points from Ofsted’s statement on how it will inspect AI, and includes example questions to help schools, colleges and MATs prepare for their first Ofsted inspection since introducing any AI tools.
How Ofsted approaches AI during inspection
As the introduction of AI tools to education settings is still at an early stage, a comprehensive framework for inspecting AI use has not yet been developed. The new Ofsted guidance instead sets out “the broad principles for how we will consider uses of AI encountered on inspection.” It is partly informed by Ofsted’s research study on early adopters of AI in schools and colleges.
There are 3 key points education settings should know about Ofsted’s approach to the inspection and regulation of AI in education.
1. AI will not be inspected separately
Ofsted confirms that there is no stand-alone section of the inspection that focuses on AI. At this stage, the department supports the use of AI to improve education and care for children, but does not require settings to be using AI tools.
Inspectors therefore may not actively search for evidence of AI use, and their reports will not mention AI “unless it is crucial to their broader inspection and regulatory decisions.”
Instead, use of AI will be considered within existing inspection and regulation frameworks. For example, if potential risks associated with AI are identified, they will be evaluated in the context of areas already under consideration, e.g., data privacy or safeguarding.
2. AI use should support the best interests of learners
Where AI tools are in use, the expectation is that they are applied in a way that serves the best interests of children and learners. In line with this, inspectors may consider:
- How AI is used and the impact it has on students
- Whether sensible decisions have been made around the use of AI
- How providers respond to others using AI, including students and parents
If applicable, inspectors may also consider how settings respond to inappropriate use of AI tools.
3. This guidance does not represent a final position
Ofsted currently lacks the breadth of evidence required to define “good use of AI for the purposes of inspection or regulation.” As a result, its approach to inspecting the use of AI in schools and colleges is still in development.
So, while the latest guidance provides education settings with some clarity on how AI use may be approached in upcoming inspections, schools and colleges should expect this position to evolve as more case studies become available.
Example questions Ofsted may ask on AI
Based on the information Ofsted has provided, the following are example questions inspectors may ask on AI:
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What AI tools or applications are currently in use across the school/college?
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How does your use of AI align with your school/college’s wider strategic goals?
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What AI policies do you have in place? Have other relevant policies been updated to reflect the use of AI tools?
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Have you conducted Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for the AI tools that process personal data?
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How do you evaluate the impact of AI on learners and staff?
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How do you ensure staff and students are protected from potentially inappropriate or harmful content generated by AI tools?
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What was your rationale for implementing AI in specific areas (e.g. marking or lesson planning)?
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Here you have used AI to summarise a child protection conference - how do you ensure this information is accurate?
This list is by no means exhaustive, and settings should expect questions to reflect their specific use of AI tools.
To learn more about Ofsted’s stance on AI, schools, colleges and MATs can consult the following documents:
- How Ofsted looks at AI during inspection and regulation
- Ofsted's approach to artificial intelligence (AI)
Is your setting ready to implement the safe, effective use of AI tools?
Talk to our Digital Safety Experts at enquiries@smoothwall.com to ensure your school, college or MAT has the necessary safeguards in place to introduce AI tools. We're happy to help.
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