Following a consultation exercise seeking views from the education sector, Whitehall department has now chosen a supplier partner to support the creation of dedicated guidance on safe use of technology
The Department for Education has signed a six-figure deal with a provider that will develop and deliver guidance intended to help teachers and senior managers safely deploy artificial intelligence technologies.
In late 2023 the DfE launched a call for evidence seeking input from the education sector on current and potential uses of AI, as well as the challenges faced. According to newly published commercial documents, “the number-one request from educators was further training and guidance on the safe use of AI”.
In response to this feedback, several months ago the department launched a bidding process for “procuring the development of two sets of online resources – one for teachers and one for leaders – to support them in using artificial intelligence safely in their settings”.
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The DfE has now appointed Chiltern Learning Trust – a multi-academy trust that operates 18 schools in Luton and the rest of Bedfordshire – to support the delivery of the two sets of AI guidelines.
On 10 December the trust and the department entered into a contract due to run until 31 March 2026. During the first four months of the contract – up to a break clause at the end of March – the DfE has “confirmed funding [of] up to £240,654” to spend via the agreement.
During that time, the supplier will be tasked with gathering the views of teachers and school leaders, and then using this information to inform the design of government-backed AI guidance.
The commercial notice says: “The successful contractor will be expected to collaborate and engage with the sector in the policy design process, using the engagement as an opportunity to gather evidence and case studies through peer-to-peer networks.”
