Ofsted inspectors have trialled using AI to save them time while taking notes during inspections, but the watchdog has decided against any wider rollout for now. The inspectorate鈥檚 first foray into using AI was brought to light in it commissioned on the impact its revised framework could have on teacher and leader wellbeing. The 鈥渨ellbeing impact assessment鈥�, led by Sin茅ad Mc Brearty, the chief executive of Education Support, and published last week, said: 鈥淲hilst there are plans to provide support to inspectors through the introduction of AI tools, the initial usage of these proved clunky during visit observations.” Schools Week asked Ofsted for more information, including the size of the pilot and what it involved, but it refused to share any details. A spokesperson said: 鈥淟ike most organisations, we鈥檙e interested in how AI can best support our work. 鈥淗owever, we don鈥檛 have any plans to introduce AI tools in support of inspections when we start inspecting under the renewed framework in November.鈥� It is understood the trial involved inspectors using tools intended to help make note-taking easier. Other public workers such as doctors and social workers have adopted AI note-taking tools as a way of cutting down on paperwork. But Ofsted felt the tools created more work, rather than streamline inspections, Schools Week understands. Matt Newman, the national officer representing Ofsted at the FDA, said the union鈥檚 HMI members 鈥渓ook forward to embracing new technologies to enhance the quality of inspection and make better use of their time鈥�. But he added: 鈥淭he FDA understands that whilst the intention is for Ofsted to utilise these digital tools in the longer term, feedback from HMI suggests that the technology would require further work to maximise its potential.鈥�