Key takeaways from Education Perfect’s ‘AI in Education’ Roundtable
As AI becomes more prevalent in education, 2025 presents an opportunity to define it as the “Year of Efficacy in AI and EdTech.”
In Education Perfect’s (EP) recent Independent and Catholic School Roundtable discussions on assessing the impact of AI tools in secondary education, school leaders shared where they’re at in their AI journey: what’s working, what’s worrying, and what’s next for them.
Here are the key takeaways from the discussion:
1. AI Implementation & School Policies
The journey to AI adoption in schools is varied, with many institutions still in the early stages of exploration. A major theme that emerged was the need for clear AI policies and frameworks, as the speed of implementation is often dictated by system policies, and many are waiting on clearer guidelines.
One message rang loud: a thoughtful, school-wide AI framework is crucial for any school. It allows educators to confidently engage with AI tools while ensuring that privacy, security and ethical considerations are prioritised. As AI tools become more integrated into classrooms, schools are looking for ways to balance innovation with compliance, ensuring that AI usage aligns with all educational objectives.
2. Data Security & AI Tool Evaluation
As schools are increasingly selective about the AI solutions they adopt, IT teams are conducting rigorous quality checks to ensure tools meet privacy and safety standards. These evaluations are not only guided by system policies but also by a deep commitment to safeguarding staff and student data.
Schools are aware of the risks AI tools may present to data privacy, and many are still in the process of assessing which tools can be trusted. Before fully integrating AI into their systems, educators and administrators require concrete data on how AI will impact learning outcomes. At EP, we take these standards seriously, ensuring our AI tools meet the highest data security expectations.
3. AI in Teaching & Learning
One of the most promising uses of AI in education is its ability to alleviate the administrative burden on teachers. AI tools are being used to streamline lesson planning, report writing and feedback generation, allowing educators to spend more time engaging with students. Additionally, AI provides instant formative feedback on student tasks, enabling timely interventions and learning adjustments.
AI is also being explored for personalised learning, with some tools leveraging AI-driven learner profiles to customise assignments based on student capabilities. This approach has proven beneficial for students with lower literacy levels, as AI can adapt content to match their needs, making learning more accessible.
4. AI & Academic Integrity
As AI tools become more integrated into classrooms, concerns about academic integrity are growing. False positives from AI-detection tools, and the risk of over-reliance on AI for assignments, have schools looking for balance. Teachers are responding by embedding transparency, encouraging critical thinking, and developing students’ ability to evaluate AI-generated content.
Studies suggest that students performing at a mid-range academic level may benefit the most from AI interventions, while high-achieving students may see a plateau. More research is needed to assess the long-term effects of AI on students at all academic levels.
5. The Quest for Evidence: A Desert of Data
While AI’s administrative benefits are clear, schools are still asking: Is it actually improving learning outcomes? As EP’s co-founder, Shane Smith put it, “We’re in an ocean of possibility but a desert of evidence.” Schools want to see hard data, and that’s where EP is stepping up. We’re running a formal AI efficacy trial in Term 2 of 2025 to measure the impact of AI on student learning and teacher wellbeing.
6. AI’s Role in Human Relationships
The school leaders unanimously agreed: AI should not replace teachers but should support them in their efforts to create meaningful connections with students. While AI can streamline certain tasks, the core focus of teaching remains human connection and fostering critical thinking skills.
AI tools should enhance the teacher-student relationship, not diminish it. When used thoughtfully, AI can empower educators by providing them with data-driven insights and freeing up time to engage more deeply with their students.
Final Thoughts
AI is an exciting tool for the classroom, but schools are still in the process of determining how to integrate it effectively. With privacy, security, and ethical use top of mind, the path forward demands a thoughtful, research-driven approach.
At EP, we believe AI should empower educators, not replace them. That’s why we’re focused on ensuring AI tools enhance teaching and learning while keeping human connection at education’s heart. Through ongoing research trials, school partnerships, and professional learning, we’re helping shape a future where AI is not just secure, but truly impactful.
Interested in measuring the impact of AI feedback in your school? Trial our tool for free today!
