Explore Learning publish Whitepaper on AI in Education

The Evidence Imperative: Why Evidence Must Come First in AI and Children’s Education

Artificial intelligence is reshaping children’s education, but not all approaches are equal. Well-designed AI tools can strengthen foundational skills such as literacy and numerical fluency when they are grounded in learning science and used with a clear purpose.

What matters is not the presence of technology, but how it is designed and what it understands about the learner. Impact depends on whether a system genuinely knows the child it aims to support. Without that depth, “personalised learning” becomes little more than a label.

In The Evidence Imperative, we set out Explore Learning’s position on what meaningful personalisation requires. It begins with a deep, continuous understanding of each child, including their current capability, their learning patterns, the level of challenge that will help them progress, and how these evolve over time. This is not a one-off assessment but an ongoing process that shapes every interaction.

Our approach combines adaptive technology with expert tutors and is grounded in established learning theory. AI is used where precision and responsiveness add the greatest value, such as personalised practice, scaffolded challenge and consistent progress monitoring. Human expertise remains central where judgement, encouragement and insight are essential.

The paper also considers the wider challenges shaping UK education today, including the persistent disadvantage gap, the compounded barriers facing children with special educational needs and disabilities, and the evolving policy landscape around AI safety and SEND reform. We explore how a rigorous, evidence-informed model can contribute to these priorities in a way that is responsible and sustainable.

Education does not need more hype. It needs clarity about what works, why it works and how it should be implemented well.