The government will trial 鈥淎I tutoring tools鈥 in schools, something ministers claim could benefit 鈥渦p to 450,000 disadvantaged kids鈥. intends to test 鈥渟afe AI powered tutoring tools providing personalised, one-to-one learning support 鈥 levelling the playing field for those who cannot afford private tutors鈥. It is the latest of a series of government announcements relating to AI in education. The DfE warned tonight access to tutoring is 鈥渄eeply unequal, with children from wealthier families far more likely to benefit鈥. Government will run a 鈥渢ender for industry to co-create AI tutoring tools with teachers, with the goal of bringing these tools to a similar level of quality, so that we can offer, at scale, the kind of personalised one to one support often only available to a privileged few鈥. 鈥淏y adapting to individual pupils鈥 needs, the tools could provide extra help when they get stuck and identify where they need more practice to master their lessons, with the potential to help them catch up with their peers,鈥 the DfE said. From the summer term, there will be 鈥渢eacher-led co-creation of AI tutoring tools with industry. Tools available to schools by end of 2027 The tools 鈥渨ill then be available to schools by the end of 2027. From years 9 – 11 alone this means the tools could support up to 450,000 children a year on free school meals to access one to one tutoring鈥, the DfE said. The department has also pledged to 鈥渞obustly test AI tutoring tools, so they are safe and work for pupils, including the most disadvantaged, and school staff. 鈥淭his includes ensuring they work in tandem with the national curriculum to build on children鈥檚 learning in class.” But the department insisted the tools will 鈥渃omplement鈥 high-quality face-to-face tutoring, but won鈥檛 replace it. Bridget Phillipson 鈥淎I tutoring tools have the potential to transform access to tailored support for young people, taking tutoring from a privilege of the lucky few, to every child who needs it 鈥 so all children can achieve and thrive,鈥 said education secretary Bridget Phillipson. “But AI tools are only helpful in education if they are safe and support learning 鈥 and that is a non-negotiable. We will ensure tutoring tools are designed with teachers and rigorously tested, so they enhance pupils’ learning and keep our children safe online, never replacing the human connection that only great teachers can provide.” Trials will begin later this year with children in secondary schools. Government will develop 鈥渞obust benchmarks鈥 so parents and teachers 鈥渃an be confident that AI tools for use by pupils are high quality, reliable and most importantly safe鈥. School staff will be supported 鈥渨ith clear, practical training developed with the education sector, so they have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to use AI safely and effectively鈥.