The UK Department for Education has established a comprehensive set of safety standards for generative AI in educational settings, primarily targeting edtech developers to ensure products are pedagogically sound and safe for students. These standards mandate that AI tools clearly state their intended purpose—ranging from content creation to digital tutoring—while avoiding the anthropomorphization of systems to prevent emotional dependency or the illusion of personhood. Key requirements include robust, multimodal filtering to block harmful content, real-time activity monitoring that alerts Designated Safeguarding Leads to risks like self-harm or distress, and strict adherence to data protection and intellectual property laws. The guidance emphasises the mitigation of “cognitive deskilling” by requiring AI to use progressive disclosure—providing hints rather than full answers—and prohibits manipulative design tactics like sycophancy or “dark patterns” that exploit users for engagement.
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