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Schools Struggle with AI Expertise, Research Reveals
A new study reveals that most school leaders feel unprepared for AI adoption, with concerns over expertise, training, and academic integrity, despite its potential to ease workloads and enhance learning.
Date of writing
February 23, 2025
Time of reading
2 minutes
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming education, yet a significant knowledge gap exists among school leaders regarding its implementation and use, as stated in Tes Magazine. According to recent research conducted by law firm Browne Jacobson, three-quarters of school leaders believe their institutions lack sufficient expertise in AI. The findings, shared exclusively with Tes, highlight the urgent need for better AI training and strategic planning in education.
The survey, which gathered responses from over 200 education leaders representing approximately 1,650 schools, revealed that only 9% of schools have an agreed AI strategy, while nearly a third are in the process of developing one. Furthermore, only 54% of respondents believe their organization is adequately prepared to implement AI effectively.
This comes as the Department for Education (DfE) recently announced new training and guidance to help teachers and school leaders utilize AI safely and confidently. However, concerns remain regarding how AI will be managed in schools.
School leaders identified several primary concerns about AI adoption:
Despite these concerns, nearly half of the surveyed leaders expressed some confidence that AI-related risks could be mitigated with the right measures. However, 22% of respondents said they were not confident at all in their ability to manage AI challenges effectively.
Currently, 50% of school leaders report using AI tools in educational settings, but fewer than a quarter use them regularly. The experiences have been largely positive, with around 40% of respondents noting that AI has helped ease workloads, speed up administrative tasks, and personalize learning. Only 5% shared negative feedback on AI use.
Reducing teacher workload is a key goal of the DfE’s AI initiatives, including funding for Oak National Academy’s AI chatbot, Aila. AI is also seen as a valuable tool in assisting students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with a third of respondents recognizing its potential in this area.
AI’s role in education continues to evolve, with ChatGPT being the most commonly cited tool among school leaders, alongside platforms such as Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, and TeachMateAI.
Bethany Paliga, senior associate specializing in data protection at Browne Jacobson, urged caution and strategic planning when integrating AI into schools: “The safe use of AI is among numerous competing priorities for education leaders. That’s why we’re urging schools and academy trusts to carefully consider which AI tools are used to ensure they properly consider compliance risks in order to use AI safely and effectively.”
She further emphasized that “embracing AI in education is not just about staying ahead technologically. It’s about understanding the unique complexities and challenges that come with adopting new technology in a school environment.”
As AI adoption accelerates, schools must navigate its risks while leveraging its potential to enhance learning, streamline administrative tasks, and support students. The call for structured AI strategies, robust training, and clear policies is louder than ever.
The survey, which gathered responses from over 200 education leaders representing approximately 1,650 schools, revealed that only 9% of schools have an agreed AI strategy, while nearly a third are in the process of developing one. Furthermore, only 54% of respondents believe their organization is adequately prepared to implement AI effectively.
This comes as the Department for Education (DfE) recently announced new training and guidance to help teachers and school leaders utilize AI safely and confidently. However, concerns remain regarding how AI will be managed in schools.
School leaders identified several primary concerns about AI adoption:
- Malpractice and plagiarism (65%) – AI-generated content raises questions about academic integrity.
- Adequate training (62%) – Educators need more support to understand AI tools.
- Quality control (58%) – Ensuring AI tools provide accurate and reliable assistance.
Despite these concerns, nearly half of the surveyed leaders expressed some confidence that AI-related risks could be mitigated with the right measures. However, 22% of respondents said they were not confident at all in their ability to manage AI challenges effectively.
Currently, 50% of school leaders report using AI tools in educational settings, but fewer than a quarter use them regularly. The experiences have been largely positive, with around 40% of respondents noting that AI has helped ease workloads, speed up administrative tasks, and personalize learning. Only 5% shared negative feedback on AI use.
Reducing teacher workload is a key goal of the DfE’s AI initiatives, including funding for Oak National Academy’s AI chatbot, Aila. AI is also seen as a valuable tool in assisting students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with a third of respondents recognizing its potential in this area.
AI’s role in education continues to evolve, with ChatGPT being the most commonly cited tool among school leaders, alongside platforms such as Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, and TeachMateAI.
Bethany Paliga, senior associate specializing in data protection at Browne Jacobson, urged caution and strategic planning when integrating AI into schools: “The safe use of AI is among numerous competing priorities for education leaders. That’s why we’re urging schools and academy trusts to carefully consider which AI tools are used to ensure they properly consider compliance risks in order to use AI safely and effectively.”
She further emphasized that “embracing AI in education is not just about staying ahead technologically. It’s about understanding the unique complexities and challenges that come with adopting new technology in a school environment.”
As AI adoption accelerates, schools must navigate its risks while leveraging its potential to enhance learning, streamline administrative tasks, and support students. The call for structured AI strategies, robust training, and clear policies is louder than ever.