UKAI Responds to the Government's Curriculum Reforms

A good start, but earlier, broader and faster reforms are needed to ensure no generation is left behind

UKAI welcomes this announcement as an important first step towards modernising the curriculum. However, to meet the UK’s AI ambitions, we need broader skills and nationwide AI literacy, not just in tech roles, but across every sector. Without urgent action to align education with the pace of innovation, future generations will be left behind.

It is encouraging to hear that primary pupils will learn about misinformation and online safety. These are essential foundations for digital confidence. But we should go further, introducing children to the basics of AI ethics, an area in which the UK leads globally. Alongside lessons on misinformation, pupils should learn to recognise when technology delivers unfair outcomes, and be inspired to shape solutions that promote fairness, protect human rights, and tackle bias and misogyny. This work is vital to inspire more girls into the technology industry.

At secondary level, schools must be empowered to innovate. Many teachers tell us they want to talk more about AI but are constrained by what the curriculum allows. Greater flexibility, resources, and support for educators are essential if we are to inspire the next generation of AI thinkers and responsible innovators.

The proposed Level 2 qualification in Data Science and AI is a positive step, but AI should not become a siloed subject. It touches every field, from science and the arts to economics and social studies. We need a curriculum where AI concepts, tools, and ethics are woven throughout learning, giving both pupils and teachers the confidence to use AI responsibly across all subjects.

We also urge a stronger emphasis on mathematical confidence. AI is built on maths, and numeracy underpins digital literacy. Strengthening mathematical understanding from an early age will help every child, regardless of background, to participate fully in an AI-driven world.

Beyond schools, apprenticeships play a crucial role in developing both technical and transferable AI skills. UKAI calls on the Government to expand and update apprenticeship pathways, helping businesses and learners alike to keep pace with rapid technological change.

This announcement is a welcome step in the right direction, but speed and ambition are vital. Technology is advancing at a breakneck pace, and without urgent, system-wide reform, we risk leaving a generation of young people behind. The Government and DfE must publish clear timelines and implementation plans to ensure that every child in the UK is prepared to thrive in the age of AI.