The UK government has allocated £1 million to 16 educational technology companies to develop artificial intelligence (AI) tools designed to assist teachers with marking and providing personalized feedback. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of education by allowing teachers to spend more time interacting with students.
Launched on January 13, 2025, as part of the government's broader Plan for Change, this project is expected to significantly reduce the time teachers spend on formative assessments, potentially by up to 50%. This investment is aligned with the Prime Minister's vision to integrate AI into various sectors, including education, to improve public services.
The AI tools will cater to specific age groups and subjects, aiding in tasks such as grading handwritten assignments and offering feedback on geographical maps. With the support of a data store funded by £3 million from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, these tools are designed to ensure high accuracy in feedback, increasing reliability from 67% to 92%.
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, emphasized that high-quality teaching is crucial for academic success, and the use of AI will allow educators to focus on teaching rather than administrative tasks. The project represents a significant shift in how technology can be utilized to improve educational outcomes while alleviating the workload of teachers.
Daniel Appleby, cofounder of the AI startup Summatic, highlighted the importance of this funding in transforming feedback mechanisms for students, particularly in mathematics, thereby promoting equitable learning opportunities across the UK.