AI Insights #28

As of today, I’m officially on my Easter break.

The revision packs are out, the bots are switched on, and my students are off on study leave with just enough snacks, stress and chatbot conversations to see them through.

So yes, I’m switching off. In theory.

But you know how it goes. A few days away from the school routine and my notepad mysteriously fills itself. Blog ideas. New approaches. Random ideas.

You know how it goes!

Before I disappear into my usual chocolate-fuelled half-rest, I wanted to share a few last things. This issue includes a run-down of the AI tools my students are using for revision, some behind-the-scenes bits from recent work with edtech companies, and four practical ways schools can get ahead of the EU AI Act.

After that, I’ll pop the kettle on and try really hard not to open LinkedIn. Wish me luck.

Scroll on, pick out what’s useful, and I’ll be back post-Easter, probably with even more ideas than I left with.

Good luck and Goodbye

And just like that, my classes are heading off on study leave.

One minute you’re knee-deep in mock feedback and revision plans, the next you’re waving them off with a stack of resources and a nervous smile.

But they’re not heading into the exam season empty-handed. Far from it.

They’ve got past papers broken down by chapter, with mark schemes alongside so they can check their progress and work out where things need tightening up. That whole set was pulled together with some help from NotebookLM, which saved a lot of time.

They’ve also got a set of brand new "past papers". Ones built by analysing the spec and spotting the most common skills and themes that tend to show up in previous papers. Claude handled that beautifully.

For those who prefer listening over staring at a page, there are podcasts covering every chapter and sub-topic. AI-generated with a bit of help from ElevenLabs and NotebookLM.

Each chapter also has its own chatbot now. They can fire off questions, get instant explanations and keep the revision momentum going, when they’re working solo at home.

And for the coding side of things? We've got pseudocode and debugging bots ready to go. Some students have already had over 200 conversations with them.

All of this sits alongside the usual stuff—textbooks, their own notes, feedback on Teams, revision guides and so on. Nothing flashy for the sake of it. Just solid, accessible resources they can actually use.

They’re ready.

Or at least, they’ve got everything they need to get there.

Hot Takes and Cold DMs

Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the chance to support a handful of companies, mostly those building or offering interesting AI tools in the education space. A lot of them are doing genuinely exciting stuff, but they’re also trying to wrap their heads around how to meet the requirements set out by the DfE, and where to even begin with the EU AI Act. (Fair questions, to be honest.)

Some companies are already on top of it. They know they fall into the high-risk category and are taking steps to put the right things in place. Others are just starting to peek at the Act, maybe with one eye half-closed. And to be clear, that’s not meant to be discourteous — I honestly think that’s where most people are at right now. Trying to get their bearings. Testing the water. Wondering if it's all as complicated as it sounds.

I’ve spent some time digging into the EU framework from the deployer side, so I’ve been able to offer a bit of clarity and point people in the right direction. But more than anything, these conversations have been a brilliant bit of CPD for me. Every company has a slightly different take, and every chat adds a bit more to the puzzle. It’s been equal parts fascinating, encouraging and occasionally head-scratching.

I do get asked quite a lot to test or give feedback on AI tools, usually through cold DMs on LinkedIn. I can’t say yes to everything (there are limits to how much coffee I can drink) but I do try to make time for the ones that feel genuinely helpful for schools and teachers.

And yes, before you ask, I do all of this for free.

I should probably charge.

Am I a mug for not?

Possibly.

Especially when I look back and realise I gave away a bunch of decent ideas this week without so much as a biscuit in return.

I just get a bit carried away.

You know how it is.

Start off giving one bit of feedback, end up suggesting five new features.

One day I’ll learn.

Probably.

The EU AI Act is here. Are you ready for it?

“We’ll just see how it goes with AI” is not a plan.

It’s a punt.

And when it comes to legal requirements, student safety and staff confidence, punting just won’t cut it.

Here are 4 ways I can help your school lead with clarity, confidence and compliance.

1. The Guidebook

AI in Education: An EU AI Act Guide No jargon. No legalese. Just a clear, step-by-step guide built for schools.

✅ School leaders

✅ Teachers

✅ IT leads

It hit #1 in Amazon’s Practical Law Guides, but more importantly, it’s already helping real schools get ahead of the game.

Get the book → https://amzn.to/44iOW8P

2. The Event – 5 June

What AI Means for European Schools I’m teaming up with Dan Fitzpatrick and COBIS - Council of British International Schools to run a practical, free session on how the EU AI Act impacts schools, and what you can do right now.

✔️ Real examples

✔️ Plain English

✔️ Get ready for the 2025–26 academic year

Open to all educators, not just COBIS members.

Join us here → https://lnkd.in/dS8jcmYX

3. The Movement – EU AI Literacy Day

The EU AI Act made AI literacy a requirement. But there’s no official day to support it.

So we’re creating one. Across Europe. For schools, communities and anyone who wants to make AI make sense.

Join the planning group or just stay in the loop: 👉 https://lnkd.in/dpKPnYQq

4. The Accelerator – June 2025

Five schools. One month. We work together through policies, templates and examples so you’re not scrambling next year.

Find out more here: EU AI Act Accelerator | IN&ED

The question isn’t if your school will be affected. It’s how prepared you’ll be when it is.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need the right support.

Whether you want to read the guide, join the event, help shape something bigger or get tailored help for your school...I’ve got your back.

Let’s take the stress out of compliance. Let’s make AI something schools can feel confident about. And let’s do it together, while there’s still time to shape how this all plays out.

I’d love to help. Just say the word.

Ta-ra Duck

On that note I will leave you to enjoy the rest of your weekend and I will be back after the Easter break!

If you want to get started with AI in your schools, I'm happy to help:

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I’ve had the privilege of working with schools to help them make sense of AI and use it effectively. Whether it’s speaking at events, running workshops, or offering strategic advice, I focus on real, practical ways to integrate AI.

If you're interested in exploring how AI can be a useful tool in education I'd be happy to talk:👉 Click here to connect

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