Education Tech Revolution: From Banking to the Classroom
Mankind’s brightest breakthroughs happen when inspiration sparks innovation. Before entering politics, I spent nearly 30 years in business, mainly in tech—and today, it’s a pleasure to share some insights with you.
Back then, the idea of digital payments was just taking off. I was part of a team working with banks and Mastercard to introduce chip-and-pin technology—a total game changer for retail. Remember when buying a TV meant digging out your magstripe card? Or booking a family holiday meant queuing at a travel agent? That’s tech progress for you.
Nailing the Basics: Connectivity and Practical Tech
Innovation isn’t magic—it starts with getting the basics right. First up: connectivity. You’d think fast internet in schools is a no-brainer, but some still struggle with snail-paced broadband. We’re fixing that. Our pledge: gigabit broadband in all schools by 2025. We’ve launched procurement in the South West and are pushing new fibre infrastructure across the North West, North East, Yorkshire, and Humber.
We’re also upgrading WiFi in 55 Local Authorities where school outcomes lag. Connectivity is as vital as water or electricity.
Next, schools need tech that just works—simple, safe, and problem-solving. Faulty technology wastes time and money schools simply can’t afford. That’s why we’re rolling out new tech standards to help schools safeguard pupils and make the best of their digital tools. Launching this September: pilot projects in Blackpool and portsmouth/" title="Portsmouth" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Portsmouth to help schools meet these standards and cut teachers’ workload.
Artificial Intelligence: The Next Big Thing in School Tech
AI is the tech revolution poised to change education. While past tech flops have let us down, AI promises real gains—cutting admin, speeding up marking, and offering personalised support. Can it do this perfectly now? No. But the potential is huge.
“AI will have the power to transform a teacher’s day-to-day work.”
Like calculators or Google before it, AI will become a classroom staple. We’re working closely with experts, regulators, and tech innovators to ensure AI helps without compromising quality.
Our government’s pro-innovation stance includes the AI White Paper and Foundation Model Taskforce, set to boost UK AI capabilities. Soon, we’ll roll out a plan to maximise AI in education while managing risks.
Leading the Global Education Tech Charge
We can’t afford to lag behind. Other nations like Estonia and South Korea lead with integrated data and AI-forward education. We’re proud to learn from them but are ready to blaze our own trail. Just like we revolutionised banking and retail, we must transform education—with the UK schools, colleges, and universities leading the charge.
As Steve Jobs famously said: “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” That’s the spirit driving the future of education tech—right here in Britain.
