AI in Assessment Pilot

Educators are under growing pressure — and many are exploring how AI tools might help them save time whilst maintaining or enhancing their impact. 

Marking and feedback are essential but time-intensive parts of the education process. As such we’re launching a new project to help the sector explore how AI can support staff and reduce workload in these areas. 

This year-long project will run from September 2025 to August 2026 and bring together two strands: 

• Strand 1: Using tools designed specifically to support marking and feedback – where selected institutions will trial one of three AI tools that we’ve chosen to pilot – Graide, KEATH, and TeacherMatic 

• Strand 2: Using general purpose AI productivity tools– where institutions can use tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude or Copilot to explore AI in marking and feedback, guided by a best practice toolkit 

Both strands are open to colleges and universities, and their shared goal is to explore how AI can support both formative and summative assessment, with a particular focus on reducing the marking and feedback burden without compromising quality. 

We recognise that the use of AI in assessment raises important questions for both staff and students. This project is as much about understanding the human and pedagogical implications as it is about testing new technologies. While students have expressed reservations about automation in education (as highlighted in recent HEPI research), the National Student Survey consistently shows dissatisfaction with marking and feedback—highlighting a clear opportunity for improvement. 

In this blog we’ll: 

• Provide an overview of the whole project and its two strands 

• Link to specific blogs outlining the three parallel pilots of Graide, KEATH and TeacherMatic 

• Give details on how you can apply to join the Graide, KEATH or TeacherMatic pilots 

Strand 1 

We’ll be piloting the following tools: 

• Graide

• KEATH  

• TeacherMatic 

Please click on the links to learn more about each of these platforms and find key details of how they will be piloted (including timeframes, workloads, technical requirements, and wider expectations). 

Participating colleges and universities will each pilot just one of these tools, and will be able to express their preferences during the application process.  

What’s expected of participants? 

Workload and commitments will vary between the three products being piloted. Please read the individual product blogs, linked above, for specific information around expectations. 

More generally, however, the three pilots will follow the same engagement model whereby each institution will:  

• appoint a senior member of staff as the project sponsor  

• appoint at least one project lead 

• have a varying number of additional staff users 

Across all three pilots, project leads will be expected to: 

• Attend frequent check-in sessions with their respective vendors (fortnightly in general, weekly during busier periods – e.g. the set up phase)

• Complete a fortnightly progress form 

• Attend monthly community sessions, which will be attended by the whole pilot cohort 

• Help organise evaluation interviews with staff and students 

• Distribute staff and student surveys, and encourage completion 

• Fulfil additional responsibilities for their pilot (specified in the relevant blogs linked above) 

Across all three pilots, project sponsors will be expected to: 

• Support the project lead to complete legal and due diligence processes (i.e. helping to resolve blockers, or engaging relevant internal stakeholders) 

• Support the project lead, ensuring they have the capacity and resources to fulfil their responsibilities 

• Support the project lead in organising evaluation activities 

• Fulfil minimal additional responsibilities for their pilot (specified in the relevant blog linked above)

Additionally, we’ll be conducting a roundtable towards the start of the pilot with the aim of understanding initial perceptions of AI’s role in assessment (later on, we’d like to understand how these shift as a result of increased experienced).  

Project leads are expected to attend these roundtables, and to encourage other participants in their institutions to do so too. 

Pilot Overview Webinar for prospective participants 

If you’d like to find out more about the pilot, please attend the Pilot Overview Webinar on Tuesday 10th June, 3.30 – 4.30 p.m.  

In this webinar, you’ll hear from Graide, KEATH, and TeacherMatic, and get the chance to ask us all questions about the pilot and the products involved. 

To attend this webinar, please complete the sign-up form by Monday 9th June.

How to apply 

To be considered for one of these pilots, please complete the application form by 20th June 2025.  

Selection process 

Applications will be reviewed by the Jisc team based on: 

• Readiness to lead and implement the pilot 

• Representation across institution type, subject area, and UK region 

• Priority status (for institutions who’ve previously applied for pilots but not yet been selected) 

Even if you’re not selected for one of these pilot, you’ll still be invited to take part in the pilot of general-purpose AI productivity tools.  

Strand 2 

This project strand is designed for institutions who want to take a practical, self-guided approach using general purpose AI tools. 

Institutions will be able to enroll once the pilot is live in Autumn 2025. There’s no application process, as there are no limits on participant numbers.  

The AI in Assessment: Best Practice Toolkit 

This strand will be shaped by the AI in Assessment: Best Practice Toolkit. The toolkit will feature tested methods from pioneering institutions already using AI in assessment. 

Participants will choose one method, adapt it to their local context, and trial it over the 2025–26 academic year. There will be regular check-ins, shared learning opportunities, and a final round of sector-wide case studies. 

Want to contribute your expertise? 

We are now inviting contributions from institutions already using mainstream AI tools in their assessment processes. Selected submissions will form the basis of the final toolkit and receive national recognition. 

A dedicated blog explains how to submit your contributions for potential inclusion in the AI in assessment best practice toolkit.

Get in Touch 

You can find out more about any aspect of the AI in Assessment Pilot by getting in touch with us directly at ai@jisc.ac.uk. We look forward to hearing from you. 

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Find out more by visiting our Artificial Intelligence page to view publications and resources, join us for events and discover what AI has to offer through our range of interactive online demos.

Join our AI in Education communities to stay up to date and engage with other members.

Get in touch with the team directly at AI@jisc.ac.uk