How AI Is Rewriting the Future of Learning: Pearson’s Sharon Hague on What’s Coming in 2026
MoveTheNeedle.news has been following Pearson’s evolution closely, including in earlier reporting on the company’s shift toward AI-enabled learning tools. That work showed an organisation preparing for an AI-driven future with unusual clarity.
That future is arriving even faster than expected as technology is evolving faster than traditional learning systems can keep up. Artificial intelligence is here, and it's here to stay, across classrooms, universities, and workplace learning environments around the world. The central debate has shifted from whether AI belongs in learning to how it can be integrated responsibly, equitably, and with real impact.
To understand what this will mean for students, educators, and employers, MoveTheNeedle.news spoke with Sharon Hague, CEO Pearson UK. Her insights point to a future where AI plays a decisive role in personalisation, teacher empowerment, and lifelong learning.
“We see AI as an opportunity to transform learning at every stage, from classrooms and universities to the workplace,” she says.
In K–12 and higher education settings, for example, AI promises targeted support for both students and teachers. “It can empower teachers, reduce their workload, and tailor learning to each student,” Hague notes.
In the corporate world, AI can support real-time upskilling, smarter talent planning, and learning in the flow of work, she adds—highlighting the shift toward continuous workplace learning and talent development.
Personalised Learning at Scale
Personalisation has long been an ambition in education technology, but AI is finally making it feasible.
“This is shaped by AI tools that adapt in real time to each learner’s pace, goals, and challenges,” Hague explains. Pearson’s Exam Practice Assistant, designed for GCSE students, is a practical example. It enables interactive study, real-time feedback, and iterative improvement—bringing the value of one-on-one tutoring into digital spaces.
This shift from passive content to adaptive learning is central to Pearson’s strategy. AI-driven tools can diagnose misunderstanding, prompt deeper questions, and guide learners toward mastery.
AI That Deepens Understanding—Not Shortcut Learning
As generative AI expands into classrooms, many educators worry about shortcuts and academic integrity. Hague stresses that responsible AI should do the opposite.
“AI has an important role to play in evolving our education system, but it must be harnessed responsibly, thoughtfully, and implemented with skill,” she warns. Pearson itself grounds its tools in vetted content and evidence-based learning science, with tools like Go Deeper encouraging exploration and analysis rather than quick answers.
AI is also proving highly effective in reducing educator workload. More than 35,000 UK teachers now use Pearson’s Smart Lesson Generator, an AI tool that produces curriculum-aligned English lessons in seconds. It saves teachers 15–30 minutes per activity—equating to half a day to a full day each week.
“It gives teachers more time to do what they do best: inspire curiosity, nurture critical thinking, and help students grow,” Hague says.
Responsible and Transparent AI in Education
With AI now embedded in learning platforms, governance is becoming mission-critical.
“Pearson is taking a proactive and principled approach to ensure its use of AI in learning platforms remains transparent and responsible,” Hague says. The company has built a unified governance framework addressing trust, transparency, explainability, privacy, bias mitigation, safety, and accuracy.
Pearson also designs AI tools for diverse learners worldwide, with features such as multilingual support, adaptive feedback, and personalised progress tracking. Partnerships with AWS and Cognizant help power scalable, reliable AI services across global markets.
How Institutions Can Adopt AI Responsibly in 2026
Hague encourages schools and universities to adopt AI based on evidence rather than hype.
“The focus should be on AI solutions grounded in learning science that improve academic performance, mastery of concepts, and student outcomes,” she says. Institutions should set clear policies on data privacy, security, and responsible AI use.
Training educators is equally essential. Hague points to the experience of biology professor John Notto of Roane State Community College, who uses Pearson’s AI Instructor tool. He notes that it “significantly reduces the burden of course design... enabl[ing] instructors to devote more time to meaningful student engagement.”
This, Hague argues, is the model for responsible adoption: AI that amplifies human teaching, enhances learning, and supports students in developing deeper analytical and creative skills.
The Next 12–18 Months: Hyper-Personalisation and Always-On Support
Looking ahead, Hague predicts that two developments will shape learning outcomes most strongly:
-
“Always-on” teacher support through AI-driven lesson planning, assessment, and feedback.
-
Real-time personalisation for students, driven by adaptive AI that tailors content and guidance.
“The greatest impact... will come from AI tools that provide always-on support for teachers and personalises learning for students,” she says.
“The result will be a learning environment that’s not only more effective and efficient but one that builds student confidence, encourages curiosity, and equips learners to adapt and succeed in a rapidly evolving world.”
AI’s Future in Learning Is Human-Centred
Across all of Hague’s insights, one theme stands out: AI’s impact will be measured by how well it supports the human elements of teaching and learning.
AI can scale personalisation, reduce administrative stress, and accelerate assessment cycles. But teachers will remain essential as guides, mentors, and critical thinkers. Students, in turn, will learn to use AI as a cognitive partner—not a shortcut. Institutions that thrive will be those combining the power of AI with the irreplaceable qualities of human instruction, according to Pearson. Their message is clear: AI can help build a more inclusive, adaptive, and empowering education system—if designed and deployed responsibly.