Teachers are using AI more than ever. Their workweek isn't getting shorter.

AI promised to give teachers their evenings back. A new survey says it's not that simple.

Bett's "AI in Education 2026" report, based on YouGov research with 1,033 UK teachers, found that eight in 10 now use AI for teaching tasks, and weekly use has doubled in a year. Among teachers who use it, 51% say it has eased their workload, but only 35% say they actually work fewer hours. Most use it for lesson plans, worksheets and resources (76%).

The enthusiasm is cooling, too. Only 47% expect to use AI more next year, down from 68% in 2025. And 41% say their school has given them no AI training at all.

Here in NYC, teachers can still use approved AI tools for planning and operations, even with the student-facing pause for 2-K through 8th grade.

Why it matters for schools: tools only save time when they're simple and fit the work teachers already do. That goes for AI, and it goes for the platforms you use to talk with families.

Sources: EdTech Innovation Hub, Nov 5 · NYC Mayor's Office, Sept 2