Labour had pledged to put the UK at the forefront a revolution in AI and edtech, but should we really be using ChatGPT in the classroom? We get two writers to hash it out in this week’s Debate

YES: When used critically, LLMs can help students understand things more deeply

Let’s be honest: tools like ChatGPT are already in classrooms, whether we like it or not. The real question is, do we as education leaders help students use AI responsibly, or leave them to figure it out on their own?

I think AI in schools should be about preparing young people for life, not just exams. When used critically, LLMs can help students understand things more deeply, explore ideas creatively and learn in ways that suit them. It’s not about letting AI do the work, it’s about teaching students how to think with it: how to question, check and make sense of what it gives back.

And let’s talk about fairness. Students from better-off households – with access to tutors, private devices and fast Wi-Fi – are already using AI to get ahead. Young people from lower-income families don’t always have that support at home. Banning AI in schools doesn’t level the playing field, it widens the gap, leaving those who could benefit most........

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