Capacity-Building for Innovative UK AI Education Policy

Abstract

This report summarises the outcomes of the Capacity-Building for Innovative UK AI Education Policy roundtable held at the University of Cambridge in November 2025. Bringing together thirty experts from research, policy, industry, and practice, the roundtable examined how the UK education system can respond to the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence on learning, teaching, and the wider knowledge ecosystem. Participants identified a critical need for coherent, national-level AI education policies grounded in human flourishing, digital inclusion, and the protection of human agency. Key themes included: redefining the purpose of education in an AI-mediated world; addressing power asymmetries between public institutions and commercial technology companies; strengthening AI and information literacy; and developing national standards for teacher training, responsible procurement, safety, and data governance. The report highlights an urgent requirement for government-backed, independent research infrastructure capable of producing large-scale, longitudinal evidence to inform policymaking. It concludes that early, futures-oriented, human-centric policy frameworks are essential to ensure that AI supports – rather than reshapes or undermines – educational aims, epistemic integrity, and equitable access to knowledge across the UK.