As reported by Sky News, The teachers’ union warns government-backed AI tools could threaten teaching assistant jobs without proper sector input
The National Education Union (NEU) has criticised the government’s push to introduce AI teaching tools in classrooms, warning that it could put jobs at risk – particularly for lower-paid teaching assistants.
NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said that the Department for Education (DfE) was “running away with itself” in its plans to develop AI-powered tools without proper consultation with the education sector. His concerns come after the government announced £1 million in funding for 16 tech companies in January to develop AI tools aimed at assisting with feedback and marking, as part of a broader initiative to improve education standards.
While acknowledging that AI could have benefits in reducing workload for teachers, Kebede cautioned against its potential misuse. “If it is used to free up educators’ time so they can focus more effectively, then fair enough,” he said. “But we will resist any direction that seeks to de-professionalise, deskill, or replace teaching assistants.”
The debate over AI’s role in education comes amid wider concerns about automation replacing jobs in the public sector. Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle admitted that AI-driven efficiencies could lead to job cuts within the civil service but suggested the public would ultimately appreciate a “leaner, smarter, smaller state over time.”
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