Key takeaways:
- More teachers feel positive about AI and confident using it, yet overall readiness remains limited.
- Teachers would like more practical support, training and tools to help students upskill in AI.
- Students are ready and eager to equip themselves for a digital future.
Yesterday was AI Awareness Day in the UK, which comes at a pivotal moment for learners. As AI adoption continues to grow, the need for AI skills and literacy is becoming paramount to those setting their sights on the world of work. Creating space to build understanding, confidence and shared responsibility across the sector has never been more important.
This technology is already in our classrooms, in our lesson planning, and increasingly, in how students learn and engage. That’s why moments like these matter. They give us a chance to pause and reflect on how we can support teachers and students to make the most of this tech, use it responsibly, and translate those skills to ones they can apply to their future careers.
What our latest data tells us about AI in schools and colleges
Our latest School and College Report brings this into sharp focus. Encouragingly, teachers are becoming more confident in teaching students about AI, nearly doubling from 9% in 2025 to 16% in 2026. Even more striking is the shift in how AI is perceived, with the proportion of teachers who believe it has had a positive impact in schools rising from 12% to 29% in just two years.
But alongside this progress, there’s a clear message coming through: confidence alone isn’t enough.
Too many teachers still feel they don’t yet have the tools or training they need. Only 8% say they feel they are currently preparing students for an AI-enabled future, and just 6% believe there is enough digital emphasis in the education system overall. At the same time, over half are calling for more professional development to help them support students effectively.
For me, that gap is the most important takeaway.
Because students themselves are clear about what they need. 84% say being prepared for a digital future is important to them. They know the world they’re stepping into will be shaped by AI and emerging technologies which is why critical moments like today allow us to listen and understand what educators and learners truly need.
It's about giving people the confidence to understand AI, question it, use it safely and responsibly, and apply it in ways that enhance learning and which can translate to the workplace.
AI Awareness Day is a reminder that this is not something any one organisation can solve alone. It requires collaboration across education, government and industry to close the gap between AI potential and AI readiness.
The good news is that momentum is building. Teachers are engaging. Students are ready. The opportunity is there. Now we need to match that momentum with the right support so that every classroom can confidently take the next step forward.