Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration the Department has given to the role of AI-enabled tools in supporting provision for pupils with SEND, including through adaptive teaching advice.

When used effectively, technology can play a key role in helping children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to achieve and thrive in mainstream education. Many teachers and educators already use digital tools to remove barriers to learning, build confidence and independence, and support inclusion.

The department is helping schools and colleges make informed decisions about adopting technology, including AI-enabled tools. For example, we have published guidance on ‘Generative AI: product safety standards’ for edtech developers and suppliers, setting out the standards these products should meet for use in education. Schools and colleges may also use this guidance to assess whether AI-enabled technologies are appropriate and safe for use in their settings. The guidance is accessible at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/generative-ai-product-safety-standards/generative-ai-product-safety-standards.

In addition, the department is investing £24 million over four years in the Education Endowment Foundation EdTech Testbed Programme to build a robust evidence base on the impact of innovative technology in schools and colleges, including their potential to improve inclusion and outcomes for learners with SEND.