AI and SEND: opportunities and risks

This panel discussion brings together SEND specialists, AI researchers, and school practitioners to explore the complex relationship between AI and special educational needs and disabilities.

The panel examines the tools that are genuinely making a difference for SEND learners, from speech-to-text and text simplification to personalised learning pathways. They also address the significant risks, including over-surveillance, data privacy concerns, and the danger of using AI as a substitute for human support.

A central theme is the importance of co-design: involving SEND learners and their families in decisions about which AI tools are adopted and how they are used.

The discussion provides practical guidance for SENCOs, school leaders, and parents navigating this rapidly evolving space.