UK government seeks AI companies to build tutoring tools for schools
The UK government is recruiting up to eight companies to develop AI tutoring tools for use in classrooms, with the goal of reaching 450,000 pupils by the end of 2026.
Each selected company will receive £300,000 for design and testing. The tools must work within the national curriculum, function in classroom settings, and demonstrate clear benefits for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Ian Murray, minister for digital government, said the initiative aims to address educational inequality. "The best educational support outside school has too often been the privilege of those who can afford it," he said. "AI gives us a genuine opportunity to change that."
What the tools must do
The AI tutors will target Year 9 and Year 10 students in English, maths, science, and modern foreign languages. They must adapt to individual student needs, identifying which areas require additional focus.
Accessibility and inclusivity are non-negotiable requirements. Companies must prove their tools work for students across different backgrounds and circumstances.
Teacher involvement is central
Selected companies will test their solutions in classrooms over summer with teacher input. National rollout is planned for 2027 following classroom trials.
Teachers will help determine whether tools are fit for purpose and enable additional student support where it would otherwise be unavailable. The government is developing national safety benchmarks for AI tools and providing access to its AI Content Store to support development.
The problem being addressed
Many children lack home technology access or cannot afford private tutoring. AI skills remain unevenly distributed among tech workers, with access depending on factors including gender and socioeconomic background.
For government teams evaluating these developments, understanding AI for Education and how teachers will use these tools is essential. Those managing school technology initiatives should consider the AI Learning Path for Teachers to understand implementation challenges.
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