Evaluating AI in Education: The Role of Ofsted Inspections

In this episode of the AI in Education Podcast, Dan and Ray dive into the latest developments shaping the future of AI in learning environments - from vocational colleges to elite universities. All the links to items and research discussed are below!

News

• Australia's Future Skills Organisation and Microsoft launched the FSO Skills Accelerator-AI partnership
  • https://www.futureskillsorganisation.com.au/skills-accelerator-ai/
• Microsoft Elevate
  • https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2025/07/09/elevate 
• Google commits US$1bn for AI training at US universities
  • https://www.innovationaus.com/google-commits-us1bn-for-ai-training-at-us-universities/ 
• CAUDIT Top Ten 2025
  • https://www.caudit.edu.au/resources/2025-top-ten-report/ 
• South Korea pulls plug on AI textbooks
  • https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10546695 
• Consumer news reporting on AI in Education
  • ABC
    • https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-13/artificial-intelligence-in-the-classroom-education/105638698
  • Channel 9
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGUygg-q0ok
    • https://www.9news.com.au/national/artificial-intelligence-in-schools-productivity-commission-report-national-push-for-teachers-to-use-gen-ai/4e9016dd-5de0-48de-ab64-f637adfbed53
• Productivity Commission report that highlights the use of AI in education, including to reduce teacher workload
  • https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/adaptable-workforce/interim 
• New DFE AI guidance for schools
  • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/generative-artificial-intelligence-in-education/generative-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-education 
• Ofsted's findings on AI in Education
  • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-in-schools-and-further-education-findings-from-early-adopters/the-biggest-risk-is-doing-nothing-insights-from-early-adopters-of-artificial-intelligence-in-schools-and-further-education-colleges 

Research

• AI tutoring outperforms in-class active learning: an RCT introducing a novel research-based design in an authentic educational setting
  • https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-97652-6 
• AI tools used by English councils downplay women’s health issues
  • Original paper: https://bmcmedinformdecismak.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12911-025-03118-0
  • News reporting: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/aug/11/ai-tools-used-by-english-councils-downplay-womens-health-issues-study-finds