Investing in AI While Schools Face Cuts – A Step Forward or Back?
Kirsty Treherne
Investing in AI offers potential benefits for education, but prioritising it amidst severe school funding shortages risks neglecting the urgent needs of teachers and students.
Last month, the government introduced its AI action plan, which includes a £1m investment in 16 private edtech firms to develop AI tools for schools. With almost half of teachers already using AI to help with their workload, this funding aims to build on that progress. The government asserts that AI will ensure “every child and young person, regardless of their background, can achieve at school” while enabling teachers to “focus on what they do best – teaching.”
While AI presents exciting opportunities, this article questions whether it is the most pressing concern for schools grappling with severe funding shortages. A BBC report cautions that by 2025, school expenses are expected to surpass funding, potentially pushing many institutions into financial difficulty despite the additional investment from October’s budget. The extra funding for SEND students amounts to just 1% more per pupil in 2025 – a figure many teachers argue is far from sufficient.
Furthermore, investing in AI for education does not come with certainty. Studies indicate that 80% of AI initiatives fail, and even successful implementations bring substantial risks and unknowns when introduced into schools. The key question remains – are the government’s funding priorities truly tackling the most urgent issues in education? While AI may offer advantages, it will not address teacher shortages, insufficient SEND funding, or the increasing pressure on school infrastructure.
This article will examine the ongoing financial crisis in education and explore how AI can be both a useful asset and a potential challenge if not carefully managed and regulated.
AI in schools: potential benefits versus risks
AI undoubtedly holds promise in education, enhancing student learning and streamlining teacher workflows. Research suggests that high-quality feedback significantly improves student performance, yet teachers often struggle with the time-consuming marking process. AI tools can reduce the time spent on assessment by up to 50%, allowing teachers to focus more on teaching and engaging with students. Additionally, platforms like Canva Magic Studio and MagicSchool help teachers quickly design interactive lessons and resources. AI can also make sure these lessons are more inclusive, with tools like text-to-speech software and speech recognition.
But despite its potential, AI presents significant risks. The government itself acknowledges that there is “limited evidence on AI’s use in education on learners’ development and the safety implications of children.” Schools are advised to carefully consider “possible impacts on learning, the importance of the teacher-learner relationship, and the risks of bias and misinformation.” This is concerning because children are effectively being used as test subjects for a technology whose long-term effects on developing minds remain largely unknown.
A teacher interviewed by the New York Times noted that students are becoming overly dependent on AI for brainstorming and writing, warning that they are “losing the ability to think critically and to overcome frustration with tasks that don’t come easily.” There is also the issue of AI making it significantly easier for students to cheat, with one study revealed that 90% of students are already using ChatGPT to complete homework assignments. For this reason, schools should make use of plagiarism detection software, and prioritise teaching styles that will maintain students’ problem-solving abilities.
Another major concern is the possible decline in human interaction. If AI gradually takes over traditional teaching methods, teacher-student relationships may suffer. Social and emotional learning is an essential part of education, and over-reliance on AI could hinder students’ interpersonal development. However, some argue that AI could free teachers from administrative burdens, allowing them to spend more quality time with students. The key here lies in using AI as a supportive tool rather than as a substitute for traditional teaching, using it responsibly, while recognising its limitations.
Funding issues and the more pressing challenges schools face
Although AI has potential, we must ask whether it is the most critical investment needed in education today. The reality is that schools are in the midst of a financial crisis that threatens their ability to deliver even the most basic services. Research from the School Cuts coalition indicates that 76% of primary schools and 94% of secondary schools will be unable to meet their costs next year. The Institute for Fiscal Studies warns that by 2025-26, school costs will exceed funding, leaving many struggling to cover staff pay rises and essential SEND support.
The government has proposed a 2.8% increase in school funding for 2025-26, but with expenses set to rise by 3.6%, many schools will face an unsustainable budget shortfall. This will force further cuts, impacting teacher retention, classroom resources, and student support services. Already, one in seven schools are in deficit – the highest rate in over a decade. Without urgent intervention, the situation will deteriorate further.
The government has urged schools to find “efficiencies,” but as National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede highlights, “most schools have no capacity to make savings without cutting educational provision.” If funding does not match increasing costs, schools risk larger class sizes, fewer staff, and diminished resources – all of which will negatively impact student learning.
In this context, choosing to invest in AI while ignoring chronic funding shortages raises serious concerns. AI may play a role in education’s future, but right now, teachers are calling for more funding to meet essential needs. Schools urgently require investment in staff, SEND support, and classroom resources rather than experimental AI projects. To truly improve education, we must ensure that AI investment does not come at the expense of the fundamental resources schools and students desperately need today.
AI certainly has the potential to enhance education by personalising learning and reducing administrative burdens for teachers. However, it is not a universal solution. Schools are facing a financial crisis, struggling to afford even the basics. Investing in AI while schools are forced to cut staff and resources raises serious concerns about misplaced priorities. If we genuinely want to improve education, funding must be directed where it is needed most, towards teachers, students, and the fundamental infrastructure of schools. AI may be a tool for the future, but right now, schools require solutions that address their most pressing and immediate challenges.
Kirsty Treherne is a former headteacher and Education Lead at iAM Compliant, a school safety management platform. She has extensive experience in education and has worked closely with teachers, school leaders, and policymakers to improve learning environments.
