Research project to inform policy on the responsible use of children’s data in AI

The Department’s six-month project, Publicly Funded Pupil Data as a Strategic Asset and Public Good, has been co-designed with the UK Government’s Department for Education (DfE) and funded thanks to an ESRC React Award.

The project brings together expertise in education, law, AI governance and learning science to address the growing challenges surrounding the governance of pupil-generated data in the age of AI.

Project lead Dr Sara Ratner said: “We are pleased to be working with such a brilliant team of partners at the DfE, Ofqual and Oak National Academy along with the expert support of Baroness Beeban Kidron to examine this area of critical need.

“Together we hope to prepare a set of research-informed recommendations as to how England can best safeguard pupil data and the digital rights of our young people at schools across the country.”

As AI-powered technologies become more widely used in education, questions are emerging about how pupil-generated data and content should be responsibly accessed, shared and governed.

The project will examine how this valuable resource could support outcomes for pupils, through educational research or the development of high quality AI tools, whilst fundamentally ensuring appropriate safeguards for children.

It builds on an established collaboration between the Department and the DfE, with the aim of producing research evidence that can directly inform government policy and practice.

The research will combine international evidence reviews, legal and ethical analysis, and engagement with stakeholders to evaluate different approaches to data governance.

The project will deliver practical policy recommendations, including a governance framework for pupil-generated data, guidance on implementing a Pupil Data Commons, and recommendations for future AI assurance and certification processes.

The findings will help inform UK policymakers on the responsible use of pupil-generated data in AI and offer wider lessons for governments, regulators and researchers internationally.

Jo Handford, Ofqual Director of Assessment Integrity & Innovation said: “Ensuring student data is used responsibly in the development and use of AI tools is critical. We’re pleased to contribute to this important research, bringing our regulatory perspective and helping build the evidence needed to support safe innovation while protecting students’ interests and maintaining public trust.”

John Roberts, Oak National Academy CEO said: “Robust data is essential for AI to compute how children learn, and in turn, improve their outcomes. But responsible handling is non-negotiable: pupil privacy cannot be compromised. We welcome research that helps the education sector build a shared understanding of how data can be used safely and responsibly for the benefit of pupils.”