In the final episode of STEM Community Live: AI Sprints Season 2, Alex More was joined by Amy Howe from Voice 21, alongside teachers and leaders from Cornerstone Academy Trust and Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust, to explore how structured talk can help young people make sense of artificial intelligence.
The session focused on Talking about AI, a new collaboration between STEM Learning and Voice 21. The resources have been designed to help teachers create purposeful opportunities for learners to discuss AI, develop critical thinking and build confidence through oracy.
With both AI and oracy featuring in the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review, the discussion came at an important moment for schools. As Alex highlighted at the start of the session, AI does not always naturally come up in the curriculum unless teachers deliberately make time and space for it. Oracy offers a practical and equitable way to do that, giving learners the language and confidence to explore questions around trust, bias, misinformation, deepfakes, hallucinations and responsible AI use.
What did the session cover?
The panel explored classroom experiences using the What is real? and Can we trust AI? booklets across key stages 1, 2 and 3. Teachers shared how learners responded to AI-generated images, discussions about deepfakes, the reliability of AI tools, and whether AI should be used to support homework.
One of the strongest themes to emerge was that pupils’ understanding of AI varies hugely. Some learners already have a strong grasp of AI language and use it regularly, while others have very limited knowledge or see AI simply as something “fake”. The panel reflected on the importance of starting with the basics, especially with younger learners or pupils who may not yet have the vocabulary to explain what they know, think or question about AI.
The session also highlighted how structured talk can improve the quality of classroom discussion. Sentence stems, talk tactics and carefully scaffolded debate helped learners move beyond simple statements of opinion and begin to build, challenge, clarify and justify their ideas.
Oracy as a route into AI literacy
Amy Howe introduced the Voice 21 Oracy Framework, which focuses on the physical, linguistic, cognitive, and social and emotional strands of oracy. The panel reflected on how these strands appeared in their own classrooms, from pupils’ confidence and body language, to their ability to use precise vocabulary, listen to others and respond thoughtfully in discussion.
A key message from the session was that AI literacy does not have to begin with technical instruction. It can begin with talk. By giving pupils time to question, debate and reflect, teachers can help them develop a more critical and responsible understanding of the technologies already shaping their lives.
Classroom-tested reflections
The teachers involved shared honest reflections on what worked, what surprised them and what they would adapt in future. Examples included pupils questioning whether AI-generated images were real, debating the use of AI for homework, exploring how AI can produce unreliable information, and recognising the need to check outputs rather than accept them at face value.
The conversation also raised important points about transition between key stages. Several speakers noted that some pupils in secondary school may still need the kind of foundational language and scaffolded discussion often associated with primary settings. This was a useful reminder that confidence with AI cannot be assumed, and that oracy can help make pupils’ starting points visible.
Watch the recording
This episode is full of practical insight for teachers, school leaders and educators interested in AI literacy, digital literacy, classroom discussion and curriculum development.
Whether you are already exploring AI with learners or are just starting to think about how to approach it, the recording offers useful examples, thoughtful discussion and practical ideas you can take back into your own setting.
Watch the recording
Continue exploring AI Sprints
You can also catch up on previous AI Sprints sessions through the STEM Community and explore the wider STEM Learning AI offer, including resources, recordings and support for teachers engaging with AI in education.
AI Sprints will return for Season 3 in September, with more expert guests, classroom voices and practical discussion on how schools can respond to the opportunities and challenges of AI.