Fiona Paterson, a teacher at George Watson’s College (Edinburgh), reflects on her experience attending the 2026 BETT Conference as part of the Kerr Fry Endowment – Children’s Digital Futures project.
In January, I had the opportunity to attend BETT, one of the world’s largest education technology events, and I returned feeling both inspired and challenged. Walking through the exhibition halls, attending keynote sessions, and speaking with educators from across the UK and beyond reinforced one clear message: education is entering a period of rapid transformation, and artificial intelligence (AI) will play a central role in shaping how we work, teach, and learn.
Working in an environment where we are constructing our approach to integrating AI, my biggest reflection wasn’t about new tools or futuristic gadgets. Instead, it was about mindset. The question is no longer if AI will influence primary education, but how we prepare our staff and pupils to use it thoughtfully, ethically, and effectively.
Highlights from BETT
1. AI Moving from Concept to Classroom Reality
AI was everywhere — not as a distant innovation, but as something already embedded in everyday teaching tools. Demonstrations showed AI supporting lesson planning, adaptive learning platforms, assessment feedback, and accessibility features for pupils with additional support needs. What stood out most was how AI can reduce teacher workload. Tools that generate first drafts of lesson resources, summarise assessment data, or suggest differentiation strategies have real potential to give teachers back time.
2. Inclusion and Accessibility
Many exhibitors focused on how technology can remove barriers to learning. AI-powered reading supports, speech-to-text tools, and real-time translation demonstrated how classrooms can become more inclusive environments. For primary schools, this feels particularly powerful. Supporting early literacy, EAL learners, and pupils with additional needs could become more responsive and personalised without increasing teacher workload.
3. Creativity Matters Most
Interestingly, the strongest message from speakers was not about technology replacing teachers. Instead, AI amplifies what teachers do best: building relationships, nurturing curiosity, and designing meaningful learning experiences. The consensus was clear — human connection remains the heart of education. AI should handle repetitive tasks so teachers can focus on high-value interactions with pupils.
What Next?
When I speak with colleagues both in the Local Authority and in the Independent Sector, it is clear that we are all approaching the integration of AI at a different pace. In my setting, we are moving towards integration; teaching AI literacy and evolving policy to provide guidance for all stakeholders.
As we work towards AI readiness, we must consider:
• How we are preparing staff for change
• How we ensure AI can be used safely and appropriately
• How we introduce AI to augment our current practice and navigate the challenges it poses
It is clear that AI adoption must be intentional, gradual, and rooted in pedagogy rather than technology trends.
Final Thoughts
Leaving BETT, I felt optimistic rather than overwhelmed. AI does not signal the loss of great teaching; instead, it offers an opportunity to rethink how teachers spend their time and energy. In Primary Schools, the goal is not to become “high-tech” overnight. It is to become thoughtfully future-ready — developing confident staff, critical learners, and ethical users of technology through close working between educators and IT experts.
I am excited about the road ahead: working as part of the team guiding our school through change while keeping children, relationships, and learning at the centre of every decision. The future may be powered by AI, but it will still be shaped by educators. While we can’t see the future, we can and must take steps forward. Iteration will be key; people must guide adoption of AI tools in order that all our stakeholders benefit.
The biggest question? What is the next small step?
Are you interested in learning more about AI, and how you could teach AI literacy to your students? Attend our upcoming events and browse our website dedicated to teaching responsible AI literacy in schools: TRAILS.scot. You might want to have a look at our Teach AI Literacy Handbook and draft curriculum framework, among other resources.
