# Teachers say AI got to class before the rules did

> A survey of 3,360 people across Europe finds students already using AI weekly while teachers scramble for guidance.
- Title: Teachers say AI got to class before the rules did · TechRadar
- Summary: A survey of 3,360 people across Europe finds students already using AI weekly while teachers scramble for guidance. Blocking AI in school is no longer an…
- Keywords: education, teachers, eu ai act, survey, technology, say, got, class, rules, did, TechRadar
- Source: TechRadar — https://techradar.com/pro/teachers-are-worried-ai-is-taking-over-the-classroom-faster-than-they-can-stop-it
- Published: 2026-09-12T07:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ai, education, teachers, eu ai act, survey, technology
## Teachers are alarmed
Across Europe, 80% of educators say AI is entering the classroom faster than schools can handle. The worry is about pace, not just the technology.
## Homework is the flashpoint
Epson surveyed 3,360 people and found 68% of teachers believe AI use in homework hurts learning. Another 81% think students expect AI to handle spelling and maths for them.
## Students already moved on
76% of students expect to use AI in their learning and 87% already do in some form, with almost 90% using it weekly for school work.
## The law just arrived
With the EU AI Act now in enforcement, schools in the bloc must provide adequate training for any AI tool they use. The UK has no equivalent rule.
## Governance beats a ban
Epson's education lead argues the answer is management, not prohibition. Set the rules, write the guidelines, train the people who have to apply them.

> AI is developing at speed, and students expect to be able to use it.
## Teachers want training too
82% of teachers want training to oversee student AI use, and 78% want guidance on using it in their own work. The second number may matter more.
## Teach what AI cannot
If the horse has bolted on blocking AI, schools should double down on analytical thinking, creativity, leadership and problem solving.
## Key takeaway

Blocking AI in school is no longer an option, so the real work is teaching what AI cannot do and training teachers to use it well.