Lynne Neagle MS, Cabinet Secretary for Education
I welcome the publication of Estyn’s thematic review into the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in schools and pupil referral units (PRUs) across Wales. With it being AI week, this represents a timely and important contribution to our understanding of the transformative potential of emerging technologies in shaping the future of education in Wales.
I would like to thank Estyn for delivering a comprehensive review at pace, in response to the Welsh Government’s commission and in recognition of the fast-evolving nature of GenAI in education. I also wish to extend my sincere thanks to the schools, learners and practitioners who engaged with Estyn during the review. Their contributions have provided valuable insight into current practice and helped shape the findings and recommendations.
The Welsh Government welcomes Estyn’s recommendations. GenAI presents significant opportunities to enhance teaching, learning and school improvement. At the same time, these opportunities are not without challenge. As this technology continues to evolve rapidly, we must maintain a considered, evidence-informed and inclusive approach to ensure its integration into education is both purposeful and sustainable.
The review highlights the need for a clear and coordinated national approach to the use of GenAI in education. This aligns with our strategic vision set out in ‘Digital education in Wales: Empowering learning through technology’, which emphasises the importance of embedding digital innovation across the curriculum, pedagogy and assessment.
Our approach to supporting schools in their use of GenAI must be clear, structured and grounded in a shared commitment to responsible practice - one that places the safety and wellbeing of both learners and the education workforce at its core. In response to Estyn’s recommendations, we will work in collaboration with local authorities and key stakeholders across the education sector to co-design a strategic framework that supports the safe, ethical and effective use of GenAI. This will build on the foundations already laid through the Hwb programme and will be informed by the latest research and best practice.
Through the Hwb platform, we have already enabled access to cutting-edge GenAI tools, including Microsoft Copilot Chat and Adobe Express AI, ensuring that all maintained schools in Wales can benefit from emerging technologies. I am pleased to confirm that Google Gemini will also be launched on Hwb soon, further expanding the suite of innovative digital tools accessible to our schools.
Schools have a pivotal role in modelling appropriate technology use within education and in supporting children and young people to engage with AI responsibly in their everyday lives. In doing so, they help realise the ambition of the Curriculum for Wales to develop capable, creative and ethically informed citizens who are ready to thrive in a digital world. Learners should be equipped to recognise risks, apply safe and secure practices and prioritise their digital wellbeing. We remain committed to ensuring that our guidance and support reflect this responsibility.
Estyn’s findings emphasise the importance of equipping the school workforce with the skills and support needed to use GenAI confidently and effectively. In response, we will undertake a comprehensive exploration of how GenAI can best support the school workforce in Wales. This will include approaches to reduce workload and enhance wellbeing, alongside a dedicated focus on pedagogy and professional learning. Our work will consider both the integration of GenAI into professional learning practices and the development of a suite of professional learning opportunities to help practitioners build their skills and confidence. As we work closely with Dysgu, to develop its offer of professional learning for the school workforce, we will explore how this can include the effective use of GenAI.
The review also underlines the importance of ensuring learners are equipped with the digital skills needed in an increasingly technology-driven world. Digital Competence is a mandatory cross-curricular skill within the Curriculum for Wales. We are currently reviewing the guidance that supports schools in developing digital competence to ensure it reflects technological advances including GenAI. This work has already involved engagement with school leaders, EdTech partners and curriculum stakeholders and will continue to shape the future direction of the framework.
A strong and coordinated partnership across the education sector is essential to setting a clear and coherent national direction for how GenAI is used in schools. We will work closely with Estyn, local authorities, school improvement services and other key partners - including Welsh Government’s new Office for AI in their cross-sector leadership role - to ensure that schools across Wales are supported consistently and effectively in adopting GenAI in ways that enhance teaching, learning and school improvement.
GenAI offers exciting opportunities, and we remain committed to working with the sector to ensure its use is safe, inclusive and purposeful. Our focus will be on supporting schools to adopt technology in ways that enhance teaching and learning and ensuring that digital innovation continues to serve the needs of learners, practitioners and communities across Wales. The publication of this review marks an important milestone in our journey to understanding and harnessing the potential of AI in education.