The Future of PE & Wellbeing in an AI Era
- Neil @ Future Action
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Artificial intelligence won’t replace teachers — but it will challenge everything we believe about learning, purpose, and what it means to grow up human.
AI is accelerating fast. And while it brings exciting possibilities, it also raises profound questions for PE and wellbeing — the parts of school life where movement, belonging and relationships are central.
How do we prepare children for a digital future without losing the human heartbeat of education?
How do we protect connection, safety and joy while embracing tools that can genuinely support us?
That’s why today’s blog explores The Future of PE & Wellbeing in an AI Era, and we’re also launching our RISE Up 2026 Whole-School Wellbeing Package — an award winning programme designed to help schools navigate this new landscape with clarity, compassion and confidence.
TL;DR — Quick Summary ⚡
Today’s Blog On How AI is reshaping education
Our new RISE Up 2026 Whole-School Wellbeing Package
The Future of PE & Wellbeing in an AI Era 🤖
Artificial intelligence is reshaping almost every industry, and education is no exception.
For some, AI feels like an exciting new tool; for others, it’s unsettling — raising questions about jobs, relationships, and the kind of future we are preparing our young people for.
In PE and wellbeing, the questions are even sharper.
Can a machine ever replace the trust built between a teacher and their students?
Can an algorithm replicate the laughter of children playing together, or the resilience forged in a muddy after-school fixture?
The short answer: no.
But AI will change the way we teach, learn, and support wellbeing.
The challenge — and opportunity — lies in making sure it changes things for the better.
1. Freeing teachers to focus on what matters ✨
One of the greatest opportunities AI offers is the gift of time.
We spend countless hours each week writing reports, planning lessons, analysing data, and managing admin. Important tasks — but they drain energy that we want to invest in our relationships with students.
AI can help by:
Streamlining admin → automating reports & assessments
Sparking creativity → generating new ideas for personalised lessons, games and wellbeing activities
Spotting patterns earlier → highlighting engagement or wellbeing concerns
AI cannot replace care. But it can give us more time to provide it.
2. Personalising learning through passions 🎨
Perhaps the most exciting potential lies in personalisation.
As a teenager, I wasn’t always the most engaged learner — especially in subjects like English Literature or German. But I loved football. If someone had taught me Shakespeare through Manchester United vs Liverpool rivalries, I would have been hooked instantly.
Artificial intelligence can now do this in seconds:
For a football-obsessed student → Romeo & Juliet becomes a derby storyline
For a Swiftie → the feud becomes rival fandoms, with Juliet sneaking playlists
For an autistic child who loves trains → rival rail companies, a forbidden express, a tragic signal failure
It’s the same content — but delivered in a way that feels alive, familiar and safe to a young person.
This isn’t about AI replacing teachers. It’s about giving teachers superpowers to reach every student through their passions activities.
And when we flip this into PE, the possibilities multiply. If a child is disengaged in PE, AI can help us translate our concepts into their world:
A child who loves Minecraft → invasion games become biome strategy missions
A Pokémon fan → agility and reaction-time drills become “evasion and capture” quests
A child who loves cooking → fitness circuits become “recipe steps,” each movement a vital ingredient
A young person obsessed with Marvel → strength work becomes superhero training, building their “origin story”
A student who prefers art or drama → a gymnastic sequence become creative expression, choreography or storytelling
AI helps us create psychological safety, relevance and belonging by meeting every child where they are — through their passions.
Instead of forcing children to fit PE, we can shape PE so that every child sees themselves in it.
That’s when engagement lifts, confidence grows, and PE becomes joyful, meaningful and sustainable.
3. Equipping children for an AI world 🌍
The real question isn’t:
“Will AI take over PE?”
But rather:
“How do we prepare young people for a world where AI is everywhere?”
Our occupation has always been central to our identity, purpose and confidence.
If the job market changes dramatically, particularly if there is a lack of entry level jobs for our young people, where will their sense of purpose come from?
Purpose is not a luxury. It is vital for wellbeing. Without it, confidence crumbles.
In our RISE Up course, we help educators guide young people to explore their ikigai — a Japanese concept meaning “a reason for being.” This helps children understand:
What they love
What they’re good at
What the world needs
How they can contribute meaningfully
This gives young people the resilience and self-awareness to thrive in a future we cannot yet fully predict.
4. What AI can’t do ❌
AI cannot:
Replace the trust and belonging a teacher creates
Provide the containers of safety children need to regulate
Replicate the joy of play
Create the deep bonds of connection that form when teams win and lose together
PE is far more than physical activity.
It is movement, connection, resilience, recovery — and rediscovering yourself.
These things cannot be outsourced to a machine.
5. The opportunity for educators 🤝
We are not being replaced. We are being repositioned.
In an AI era, a teacher’s value sits not in delivering information — but in the human connection that shapes engagement, confidence, and belonging.
PE becomes even more powerful here.
It is one of the last places in the school day where relationships, movement and play come together.
AI may help us plan better. But it is the human element that transforms lives.
6. Moving forward together 🚀
The future of PE and wellbeing in an AI era will be written by us — the educators, leaders and communities who choose how this technology is used.
If we see AI as a partner, not a replacement, we can harness its strengths while doubling down on what really matters:
safe relationships
joyful movement
emotional regulation
deeper belonging
practical wellbeing strategies for life
That is why we created RISE AI — our 24/7 digital coach that supports you with instant guidance and personalised ideas whenever you need them. You can try it here:
RISE Up 2026 Whole-School Wellbeing Package 🌱
If you'd like support turning your ideas into a practical whole-school wellbeing strategy, here’s how we can partner with you in 2026 to achieve your goals.
Our RISE Up 2026 Package blends movement, trauma-informed practice and early intervention into a single, powerful programme to support your school over a year initially.
1️⃣ Intent – Vision & Planning
Co-created bespoke strategic wellbeing vision for your school
90-day implementation plan to overcome overwhelm
A copy of Time to RISE Up – Supporting Students’ Mental Health in Schools
2️⃣ Implementation – Training & Support
In-person CPD for colleagues
Ongoing coaching and support
Unlimited access to all online courses:
Editable comprehensive resource pack
24/7 access to RISE AI
3️⃣ Impact – Evidence & Legacy
A co-created case study to celebrate your school’s journey
Measurement aligned to wellbeing, attendance, behaviour & belonging
Optional opportunities to share your impact at regional wellbeing events, podcasts etc
Join the Global RISE Up community and your local RISE Up community of best practice
Join our 2026 RISE Up Waiting List 📩
If your school would like to be part of next year’s cohort:
We look forward to hearing from you, and will be in touch.
Thank You — And Have a Fantastic Week 💛
As we enter the final stretch before Christmas, thank you for everything you do to support your young people.
Your care, your energy, and your commitment transform lives.
Wishing you a brilliant week filled with joy and connection.
Neil Moggan and the Future Action team
P.S. 📬 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter – stay informed with the latest wellbeing insights, case studies and practical tools for your setting:👉 Subscribe Here
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