Artificial intelligence tools in schools - Gemini pilot project

Published 17/08/2026.  Last updated 07/09/2026

Artificial intelligence tools are available for some learners

Gemini Education and Gemini Notebook have been made available in Glow as part of a pilot programme to assess how these tools could be used in the classroom with learners.

They are only available in 3 local authorities. The pilot will run between August 2026 and January 2027 

What is Gemini Education? 

Gemini is a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool provided by Google for Education. It can be used to create new content based on user instructions or prompts such as:

  • text
  • images
  • video
  • code

It is specifically for education and for the use of learners under 18 to get a distinct experience. 

How learners can use Gemini Education 

Young learners can ask questions and get answers to help:

  • simplify complicated terms, for example, ‘Explain photosynthesis like a story’
  • answer and explain curiosity questions, for example,‘Why is the sky blue?’
  • generate writing ideas to spark inspiration, for example, ‘Give me 3 story ideas about space’
  • play games to support study, for example, ‘Test me on my spelling words’
  • provide a reading support buddy, for example, ‘What does the word 'vast' mean?’ 

Older learners can use it to support their learning through:

  • summarising large amounts of text, for example, ‘Bullet point the main ideas of this article’
  • developing an outline for writing projects, for example, ‘Create a structure for my history essay’
  • assisting with research, for example, ‘Find 5 key causes of the Industrial Revolution’
  • tutoring support, for example, ‘Explain this maths problem step-by-step’
  • text proofreading, for example, ‘Check my grammar and tone’
  • organising text into different formats, for example,‘Turn these notes into a study guide’. 

Guided Learning is a Gemini feature that supports learners with their understanding, but without providing a direct answer, unlike other Generative AI tools. 

What is Gemini Notebook? 

Gemini Notebook is a personalised AI research and study assistant from Google. It helps learners understand and organise their own learning materials.  Unlike Gemini Education, it uses the content that learners upload. This means all information and study guides it generates are:

  • accurate
  • directly relevant to their classroom 

Learner data is not reviewed or used to train other artificial intelligence models.  

How learners can use Gemini Notebook 

Learners can upload learning materials. Gemini Notebook uses the uploads to create media.  These can include:

  • audio overviews in the style of a podcast
  • study support flashcards
  • quizzes
  • study reports
  • video overviews 

Learners can also use the chat feature to pull out key information from the uploaded materials. 

Generative AI as an assistant, not a replacement teacher 

Generative AI is a helpful tool for learning, but it can never replace the personal connection a teacher brings to your child’s education. 

Why the Human Element Matters 

Social-Emotional Learning 

Artificial Intelligence lacks the emotional intelligence to sense a student's frustration or provide genuine encouragement. 

Contextual Wisdom 

Teachers draw from life experience to make lessons relevant in ways that an algorithm cannot. 

Ethical Guidance 

Human interaction fosters character development and models responsible behaviour. 

Understanding 

Teachers know your child and can tell when they need support. 

Appropriate use of generative AI 

You can upload pictures and files to generative AI tools. The user must not upload content or enter prompts that:    

  • could create inappropriate or concerning text or imagery 

  • contain any personal, sensitive or confidential information 

Extra safety features and policies have been put in place to prevent inappropriate responses and protect learners.

The data obtained during this pilot programme will not be reviewed or used to train other artificial intelligence models. 

Children's rights when using AI 

Children are learning about their digital rights.  These are how to:

  • stay safe
  • keep their information private
  • ensure AI treats everyone fairly. 

The aim is to make sure that as artificial intelligence grows, it has children's safety and wellbeing as a priority. To support this, the Children’s Parliament worked with AI experts to help learners aged 7 to 11 to understand how artificial intelligence works. They explored various aspects from the games they play to the videos they watch. 

AI skills for learning, life and work 

AI based tools within Glow provide opportunities to support learning.  Used appropriately, they can support understanding, creativity and engagement across the curriculum.  For example, Gemini can help learners: 

  • explore their own ideas
  • generate explanations
  • structure their thinking 

Adobe Express enables them to create multimedia content to demonstrate their learning. 

There is a range of research that identifies the potential benefits of these tools including:

  • increased personalisation, with learners accessing explanations that are tailored to their needs
  • improved accessibility, supporting additional support needs
  • letting learners communicate ideas in different formats
  • build confidence by supporting independent learning. 

AI literacy is an essential skill for learners, both for their current education and for future learning, life and work.  Building confidence in using tools such as Gemini and Adobe Express supports the development of the skills that a changing workforce will require. 

There are important risks to consider like: 

  • AI generated content may be inaccurate or misleading
  • over-reliance on such tools can limit the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills 

There are also important considerations around data privacy, appropriate use, and ensuring that learners do not share personal or sensitive information. 

For these reasons, children and young people should only use AI tools after receiving clear instruction.  They should be taught how AI systems work at a basic level, how to construct effective prompts, and what types of inputs are not appropriate.  Learners should be encouraged to question and evaluate AI outputs, rather than accepting them at face value. 

The use of AI within Glow with learners, should always complement, not replace, face-to-face teaching and learning.  Professional judgement remains central to ensuring that these tools are used in a safe, ethical and meaningful way. 

Google’s approach to energy innovation 

Google are working on how to realise the potential of AI while addressing new energy demands.

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Artificial intelligence tools in schools - Gemini pilot project

Published 17/08/2026.  Last updated 07/09/2026

Artificial intelligence tools are available for some learners

Gemini Education and Gemini Notebook have been made available in Glow as part of a pilot programme to assess how these tools could be used in the classroom with learners.

They are only available in 3 local authorities. The pilot will run between August 2026 and January 2027 

What is Gemini Education? 

Gemini is a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool provided by Google for Education. It can be used to create new content based on user instructions or prompts such as:

  • text
  • images
  • video
  • code

It is specifically for education and for the use of learners under 18 to get a distinct experience. 

How learners can use Gemini Education 

Young learners can ask questions and get answers to help:

  • simplify complicated terms, for example, ‘Explain photosynthesis like a story’
  • answer and explain curiosity questions, for example,‘Why is the sky blue?’
  • generate writing ideas to spark inspiration, for example, ‘Give me 3 story ideas about space’
  • play games to support study, for example, ‘Test me on my spelling words’
  • provide a reading support buddy, for example, ‘What does the word 'vast' mean?’ 

Older learners can use it to support their learning through:

  • summarising large amounts of text, for example, ‘Bullet point the main ideas of this article’
  • developing an outline for writing projects, for example, ‘Create a structure for my history essay’
  • assisting with research, for example, ‘Find 5 key causes of the Industrial Revolution’
  • tutoring support, for example, ‘Explain this maths problem step-by-step’
  • text proofreading, for example, ‘Check my grammar and tone’
  • organising text into different formats, for example,‘Turn these notes into a study guide’. 

Guided Learning is a Gemini feature that supports learners with their understanding, but without providing a direct answer, unlike other Generative AI tools. 

What is Gemini Notebook? 

Gemini Notebook is a personalised AI research and study assistant from Google. It helps learners understand and organise their own learning materials.  Unlike Gemini Education, it uses the content that learners upload. This means all information and study guides it generates are:

  • accurate
  • directly relevant to their classroom 

Learner data is not reviewed or used to train other artificial intelligence models.  

How learners can use Gemini Notebook 

Learners can upload learning materials. Gemini Notebook uses the uploads to create media.  These can include:

  • audio overviews in the style of a podcast
  • study support flashcards
  • quizzes
  • study reports
  • video overviews 

Learners can also use the chat feature to pull out key information from the uploaded materials. 

Generative AI as an assistant, not a replacement teacher 

Generative AI is a helpful tool for learning, but it can never replace the personal connection a teacher brings to your child’s education. 

Why the Human Element Matters 

Social-Emotional Learning 

Artificial Intelligence lacks the emotional intelligence to sense a student's frustration or provide genuine encouragement. 

Contextual Wisdom 

Teachers draw from life experience to make lessons relevant in ways that an algorithm cannot. 

Ethical Guidance 

Human interaction fosters character development and models responsible behaviour. 

Understanding 

Teachers know your child and can tell when they need support. 

Appropriate use of generative AI 

You can upload pictures and files to generative AI tools. The user must not upload content or enter prompts that:    

  • could create inappropriate or concerning text or imagery 

  • contain any personal, sensitive or confidential information 

Extra safety features and policies have been put in place to prevent inappropriate responses and protect learners.

The data obtained during this pilot programme will not be reviewed or used to train other artificial intelligence models. 

Children's rights when using AI 

Children are learning about their digital rights.  These are how to:

  • stay safe
  • keep their information private
  • ensure AI treats everyone fairly. 

The aim is to make sure that as artificial intelligence grows, it has children's safety and wellbeing as a priority. To support this, the Children’s Parliament worked with AI experts to help learners aged 7 to 11 to understand how artificial intelligence works. They explored various aspects from the games they play to the videos they watch. 

AI skills for learning, life and work 

AI based tools within Glow provide opportunities to support learning.  Used appropriately, they can support understanding, creativity and engagement across the curriculum.  For example, Gemini can help learners: 

  • explore their own ideas
  • generate explanations
  • structure their thinking 

Adobe Express enables them to create multimedia content to demonstrate their learning. 

There is a range of research that identifies the potential benefits of these tools including:

  • increased personalisation, with learners accessing explanations that are tailored to their needs
  • improved accessibility, supporting additional support needs
  • letting learners communicate ideas in different formats
  • build confidence by supporting independent learning. 

AI literacy is an essential skill for learners, both for their current education and for future learning, life and work.  Building confidence in using tools such as Gemini and Adobe Express supports the development of the skills that a changing workforce will require. 

There are important risks to consider like: 

  • AI generated content may be inaccurate or misleading
  • over-reliance on such tools can limit the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills 

There are also important considerations around data privacy, appropriate use, and ensuring that learners do not share personal or sensitive information. 

For these reasons, children and young people should only use AI tools after receiving clear instruction.  They should be taught how AI systems work at a basic level, how to construct effective prompts, and what types of inputs are not appropriate.  Learners should be encouraged to question and evaluate AI outputs, rather than accepting them at face value. 

The use of AI within Glow with learners, should always complement, not replace, face-to-face teaching and learning.  Professional judgement remains central to ensuring that these tools are used in a safe, ethical and meaningful way. 

Google’s approach to energy innovation 

Google are working on how to realise the potential of AI while addressing new energy demands.

^ Back to top

Related content

Guardian’s guide to AI (PDF)
Using AI tools safely (parentclub.scot)
AI saftey tips for parents (nspcc.org.uk)
How to use AI safely (internetmatters.org)