New government guidance has been published for teachers and pupils on the ‘safe and ethical’ use of AI in Scotland’s schools.
The guidance, released for the first time, aims to support teachers to use AI in a fair, safe and ethical way, highlighting appropriate use cases and where to be ‘mindful’ of issues around the technology.
The EIS teaching union as well as local government, Education Scotland and others, all contributed to the document in response to the growth in the use of AI across society.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “AI is increasingly part of all our lives, and we have a responsibility to ensure children, young people, and teachers are equipped to grasp its opportunities and navigate its challenges.
“It is important that human relationships remain at the heart of education, and I am absolutely clear that technology will never replace the role of the teacher. This guidance makes clear that AI must enhance, not replace, those connections.
“For pupils, that means using AI as a tool to support creativity, critical thinking and personalised learning, while protecting their rights and privacy. For teachers, it means having the confidence, professional autonomy and practical support to decide when and how AI adds value in their classroom.”
The guidance sets out underpinning ‘guardrails’ – a set of rules, policies, guidance and frameworks – for using the technology responsibly.
These include prioritising the safety and privacy of children, ensuring equity and fairness for all pupils, and aligning the technology with the aims of the curriculum.
EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said: “AI is a tool for teachers; it must never be a replacement for them or their professional judgement. The human relationship between teacher and children and young people is at the heart of learning in our schools. No tool, no tech, no algorithm can replace that.
“We’ve co-created these guardrails to ensure that where teachers choose to use AI in schools, it is ethical, equitable, and – above all – safe.”
The 45-page guide is non-statutory for schools and local authorities and reflects the rapidly evolving nature of AI in education and the need for flexibility for local authorities to develop their own AI policies.
