An expert in intellectual property (IP) has been appointed to a UK Government advisory panel, contributing to an innovative project aimed at revolutionising education through AI
An expert in intellectual property (IP) law, commercialisation and innovation from the University of Portsmouth has been appointed to a UK Government advisory panel, contributing to an innovative project aimed at revolutionising education through artificial intelligence (AI).
Mr. Joe Sekhon, Director of the Future of Law, Innovation and Technology (FLITe) Research and Innovation Centre and Associate Head for Research and Innovation in the School of Law, has joined the Expert Advisory Panel on the Department for Education’s (DfE) Education Content Store. His expertise in IP law, commercialisation and licensing models, particularly in relation to AI-generated content, will bring an important legal perspective to the discussions.
The Content Store is a pioneering initiative funded by a £3 million investment from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). This pilot project will explore how public sector data and content can support the development of AI tools for education.
I am honoured to contribute to this important initiative. Generative AI has immense potential to transform education, but its success depends on ensuring we address the complex legal and ethical challenges. By bringing a legal perspective to these discussions, I hope to help shape a framework that balances innovation with compliance and fairness.
By pooling resources such as curriculum guidance, lesson plans, and anonymised pupil assessments, the Content Store aims to provide high-quality educational content to train AI models. These tools could ultimately reduce teacher workloads by automating routine tasks like marking, lesson planning, and administrative duties.
The Expert Advisory Panel has been convened to address key legal, ethical, and strategic issues for the future of the Content Store. These include the use of pupil generated IP, charging and licensing models, and the broader implications for the EdTech market. The Panel will provide insights on critical questions such as:
- How can the government effectively oversee the curation of educational content for AI?
- What arrangements are needed to ethically and legally use pupil IP at scale?
- Is a charging and licensing model feasible for the Content Store, and could it ensure sustainability?
- What is the best long-term structure for managing the Content Store?
Mr. Sekhon said: “I am honoured to contribute to this important initiative. Generative AI has immense potential to transform education, but its success depends on ensuring we address the complex legal and ethical challenges. By bringing a legal perspective to these discussions, I hope to help shape a framework that balances innovation with compliance and fairness.”
The second meeting of the Panel was held in January, with subsequent sessions scheduled through to April 2025. These discussions will inform the long-term strategy for scaling the Content Store beyond its pilot phase.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader £4 million investment in using AI to enhance education. Research shows significant public support for using AI to reduce teacher workloads, enabling educators to dedicate more time to face-to-face teaching. The DfE’s work to create the Content Store aligns with this mission, seeking to break down barriers to opportunity and stimulate the development of evidence-based, legally compliant AI tools.