2 September 2024
In a groundbreaking move, a private school in London is set to open the UK’s first classroom where artificial intelligence (AI) replaces traditional human teachers. David Game College, a prestigious institution, will launch this innovative teacherless course for 20 GCSE students this September, signalling a major shift in how education is delivered in the UK.
This pioneering AI-driven classroom leverages cutting-edge technology to offer a highly personalised learning experience. Students will engage with a variety of AI platforms on their computers, coupled with virtual reality headsets, creating a unique and immersive educational environment. The AI system is designed to understand each student’s strengths and weaknesses, dynamically adjusting lesson plans to cater to their specific needs.
For example, topics where a student excels are deferred until the end of the term for revision, while subjects requiring more focus are addressed promptly. This bespoke approach ensures that each student’s educational journey is tailored to their individual learning pace and style, a level of precision and continuous evaluation that co-principal John Dalton believes is beyond the capabilities of even the best human teachers.
“There are many excellent teachers out there, but we’re all fallible,” Dalton stated. “Achieving the level of precision and accuracy, along with the continuous evaluation that AI offers, is incredibly challenging for human teachers.”
The 20 students enrolled in this course will pay around £27,000 per year for the privilege of experiencing this futuristic classroom. Joseph, one of the GCSE students who has been testing the system, expressed his enthusiasm: “A teacher doesn’t really know your flaws because he has so many students. The AI will figure out what your flaws are and help you improve.”
Despite the technological marvel, students will not be left entirely on their own. Three “learning coaches” will be present in the classroom to monitor behaviour and provide support when necessary, ensuring that students still receive some human interaction and guidance.
However, not everyone is convinced that this is the future of education. Chris McGovern, a retired head teacher and former policy advisor who now leads the Campaign for Real Education, cautioned against over-reliance on AI in the classroom. “The problem with AI and the computer screen is that it is a machine, and it’s inert,” McGovern argued. “You’re dehumanising the process of learning, taking away those interpersonal skills and the interaction between pupils and teacher.”
In response to the growing role of AI in education, the government has announced a new initiative to support teachers in integrating AI into their classrooms more effectively. This project will involve creating a bank of anonymised lesson plans and curriculums to train various AI models. These AI tools will assist teachers in marking homework and planning lessons, providing what Stephen Morgan, Minister for Early Education, describes as “a helping hand with classroom life.”
“Artificial intelligence, when made safe and reliable, represents an exciting opportunity to support our schools’ leaders and teachers,” Morgan said.
As AI continues to evolve, the debate over its role in education will likely intensify. Whether this experiment at David Game College will set a new standard for classrooms across the UK or remain a unique case study remains to be seen.
