UK teachers gain confidence in AI, but training gap persists
Teacher confidence in using AI in schools has roughly doubled in a year, but educators say they lack the formal training needed to prepare students for an AI-enabled workforce.
The proportion of schoolteachers expressing confidence in teaching students about AI rose to 16% in 2026, up from 9% in 2025, according to research from Pearson. Over the same period, teachers who believe AI tools have positively affected their schools jumped to 29% from 12% in 2024-a 142% increase.
AI adoption in classrooms is accelerating. Only 12% of schoolteachers now say they don't use AI in their role, compared to 20% last year. The primary driver appears to be administrative relief: 57% of primary teachers and 48% of secondary teachers report that AI saves them time.
Students want digital skills. Teachers feel unprepared to teach them.
Student demand for digital preparation is clear. 84% of school students say being prepared for a digital future matters to them, up from 78% in 2024.
The disconnect emerges when teachers assess their own readiness. Only 6% of teachers believe the education system places enough emphasis on digital skills, and just 8% feel they are currently preparing students for an AI-enabled future.
The training gap is substantial. 53% of schoolteachers say more Continuing Professional Development (CPD) on using AI would help them support student learning. 34% identified a specific need: specialised training on using AI with students who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), where tools like text-to-speech and personalised resources offer genuine support.
What teachers need
The research surveyed more than 14,000 people across England's education sector, including over 11,000 teachers and 3,000 students. It identifies a clear gap between growing AI adoption and educator confidence in deploying it effectively with students.
For educators looking to close this gap, AI for Education resources and structured AI Learning Paths for Teachers can provide the formal training teachers say they need.
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