The Department for Education has convened a youth advisory panel to examine how artificial intelligence should be used in schools across England. The panel, established with the Children's Commissioner, met for the first time over the summer and will continue meeting for 18 months. Its findings will inform government policy on AI in education.
The group brings together young people from across England with a range of backgrounds and perspectives. At the first meeting, members discussed how pupils already use AI, the opportunities and risks it presents for schools, and what it could mean for future careers.
What the panel discussed
Early conversations focused on practical classroom applications alongside deeper concerns. One 18-year-old panel member said: "We discussed several positives and negatives. Most notably, how AI can help students learn but opposingly, there's a huge concern about where our data is going or how the companies behind it are using it."
Career prospects emerged as a recurring theme. The same member flagged worries about entry-level roles in humanities and computing, citing AI's coding ability. A 17-year-old girl made a similar point: "Although people did recognise the opportunities presented by AI, the overall consensus was that AI was damaging - especially to our generation, as entry-level jobs are being replaced by AI."
For educators tracking AI for Education developments, the panel's early signals point to student concerns that extend well beyond cheating and assessment integrity.
Student perspectives
Panel members described the first meeting as substantive rather than superficial. An 18-year-old boy said: "It was great to almost instantly get into really deep discussions about AI and what its impact on education could be, and hearing new perspectives on this issue beyond just 'it's okay for marking' or 'it will ruin coursework and written subjects entirely'."
A 15-year-old girl said she looked forward to "contributing towards educational policies around the use of AI in schools" over the next 18 months. Another 17-year-old member said: "I loved coming to the heart of politics in Westminster where we had interesting debates about different perspectives and experiences with AI."
Teachers looking to understand the classroom implications can find practical guidance through AI for Teachers training resources.
What happens next
The panel will continue meeting over the next 18 months, with the DfE posting regular discussion updates on specific topics and themes. The Children's Commissioner's office is coordinating the group's work.
The initiative signals that the DfE wants student input to shape policy decisions, not just react to them. The panel's remit covers how AI can support education while meeting the needs of the children and young people most affected by it.
Why this matters for education professionals
Student concerns are already shifting from "will AI help me cheat" to "will AI take my first job." That changes the conversation teachers need to have in classrooms. Education professionals should expect policy discussions to expand beyond assessment integrity toward data privacy, algorithmic transparency, and career preparedness. The panel's 18-month timeline means schools have a window to align their own AI approaches with the direction of national policy before formal guidance lands.
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