UK has launched a new initiative inviting education technology firms and artificial intelligence developers to design a generation of personalised tutoring tools aimed at supporting disadvantaged students, in a move intended to reduce long-standing inequalities in access to academic support.
The programme will see selected companies develop AI-driven systems capable of offering tailored assistance to students, particularly those who are unable to afford private tutoring, with a national rollout targeted from 2027.
According to Minister for Digital Government Ian Murray, the best educational support outside school has too often been the privilege of those who can afford it.
“AI gives us a genuine opportunity to change that – to put the kind of personalised, one-to-one tutoring into the hands of all pupils, regardless of their background, and giving teachers the best technology to complement their work.”
Ian Murray
This initiative is designed to help level the playing field in education by making targeted academic assistance more widely available. It builds on the government’s schools white paper, “Every Child Achieving and Thriving,” published earlier this year, which sets out plans to halve the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.
Under the programme, AI tutoring tools will be developed for pupils in Years 9 and 10, focusing on key subjects including English, mathematics, science and modern foreign languages. The tools are expected to adapt to individual learning needs, offering additional support when pupils struggle and identifying areas where further practice is required to strengthen understanding.
Meanwhile, Private tutoring remains out of reach for many families, often costing hundreds or even thousands of pounds each year, despite evidence suggesting it can accelerate learning by up to five months.
UK government estimates that the new AI tools could benefit as many as 450,000 disadvantaged pupils annually, significantly expanding access to this form of support. Companies bidding to take part in the programme will be required to demonstrate how their tools will specifically benefit disadvantaged learners, while also ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for pupils with a range of needs.
Education Minister, Olivia Bailey, indicated that, personalised, high-quality tutoring tools have the potential to help make enormous progress in levelling the playing field for thousands more children, however, “getting this right matters just as much as moving quickly.”
“Every tool must be built with teachers, tested rigorously, and held to the highest safety standards before it reaches the country’s classrooms. That is why we are inviting leading EdTech and AI to rise to this challenge with us – not just to build something innovative, but to build something that will give pupils more opportunity, and perhaps even transform their life chances altogether.”
Olivia Bailey
The government explained that, up to eight businesses will be chosen to create a “Pioneer Group,” with each winning bidder receiving £300,000 to develop and test AI tutoring solutions in real-world school settings.
Also, the tools will be extensively tested in schools throughout the year, and providers will be expected to report on the impact on both students and teachers at the end of the pilot period.
Sovereign AI Drive to Strengthen UK’s Global Position in Artificial Intelligence
Moreover, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has equally launched a new “Sovereign AI” initiative aimed at strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in artificial intelligence, with a focus on accelerating innovation, expanding national capability, and enabling British AI firms to scale and compete internationally.
The initiative is designed to support British companies in starting up, scaling up, and succeeding on the global stage, while also building stronger sovereign capability in technology.
According to the Technology Secretary, the government’s ambition is to make the UK an “AI maker, not just an AI taker.”
As part of the programme, selected firms will be given access to UK’s largest supercomputers to support advanced AI development and research.
In addition, AI researchers and engineers will benefit from fast-tracked visa processes, including priority decisions within one working day and cost-free allocations for research and development visas. These measures are intended to reduce barriers to entry and attract top global talent into the UK’s AI ecosystem.
Liz Kendall said the aim is to ensure that founders and researchers do not have to choose between ambition and remaining in UK, positioning the country as a leading destination for AI development.
“I know, right now, the world feels like a risky, uncertain, and often deeply frightening place. That there’s concern and pessimism about what the future holds, with many people doubting we can ever make tomorrow better than today. But I know change is possible.”
Liz Kendall
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