Artificial intelligence (AI) is the new disruptor in education, and many leaders and their district educational partners are confronting their fears about this new technology. In January 2023, New York City Public Schools banned access to the AI technology ChatGPT on its school wireless networks and devices. By May 2023, NYCPS rescinded the ban, with Chancellor David Banks acknowledging the district acted out of “knee-jerk fear” and saying district leadership “overlooked the potential of generative AI to support students and teachers, as well as the reality that our students are participating in and will work in a world where understanding generative AI is crucial.” NYCPS is not alone. In other districts, administrators and teachers debate how to responsibly use AI in teaching and learning—and what message it sends to their students. Using AI in education can help educators continue to prepare students for their future. There are clear benefits to using the technology as long as leaders understand the challenges and prioritize responsible use in their districts. What is AI, and how are K-12 districts using it? THE STATE OF AI IN K-12 SCHOOLS Our education system is all about human intelligence, so what role does artificial intelligence (AI) have to play? Put simply, AI is “the science of making machines that can think like humans.” AI technologies can process large quantities of data, quickly recognize patterns, and make decisions based on those patterns. Unlike humans, AI can do all this in seconds. Schools are now grappling with the next iteration of AI— generative AI. Generative AI tools go beyond recognizing patterns in data to creating content based on prompts. Teachers and students are increasingly using tools like ChatGPT, which creates text, and DALL-E, which creates images. Schools must provide guidelines on their responsible use in the classroom and district initiatives. AI plays an important role in education. As mentioned earlier with the NYCPS example, just because a district attempts to block AI use doesn’t mean its students and educators won’t use it. In the long term, banning is the wrong approach. Instead of banning AI technologies, K-12 districts need to embrace responsible use. This means developing guidance around using it in schools, identifying where AI can improve and streamline district initiatives, professional development for teachers, and leveraging education technology that puts student and district data privacy first. What is responsible AI? The principles of responsible AI in education provide a framework to govern its usage in schools: fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability. Districts need to develop governance around AI use to ensure it adheres to the district’s student success goals. Strategies for responsible AI integration In 7 Strategies to Prepare Educators to Teach with AI, EdWeek maintains that “educators should have foundational knowledge of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models (the technology behind ChatGPT and other chatbots)” before learning how to use AI to teach. Educators need to understand that AI use is widespread. The technology is used daily on social media and in voice assistants. Schools can also integrate AI literacy and education into every subject area. Here are some ways districts can promote AI literacy in their educational partners: They recommend that districts integrate AI with these seven strategies: 1. Develop a foundational understanding of AI, machine learning, and large language models 2. Train in existing AI tools and technologies 3. Engage with AI4K12.org’s 5 pillars for teaching AI literacy: perception, representation & reasoning, learning, natural interaction, and societal impact 4. Demonstrate the use of AI in the classroom 5. Incorporate AI into existing curriculum instead of an add-on course 6. Integrate AI into the classroom through the lens of equity, cultural responsiveness, and ethics 7. Incorporate AI literacy training into professional development programs Engaging educational partners in developing AI guidelines To develop AI policies that equitably and effectively serve all educational partners, districts must ensure they engage all groups and consider different perspectives—not just ask the experts. Leaders should consult students, staff, parents, and community members on any district policies or guidelines that impact them. Operational benefits for districts While many of your educational partners may think of AI as a shortcut for students, the technology provides educators with significant operational benefits. Here are a few ways AI technologies can transform how superintendents, communications professionals, administration, and teachers approach their jobs. DeKalb County School District leverages AI-powered engagement COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Dr. Yolanda Williamson, DeKalb CSD’s Chief of Community Engagement, acknowledges current fears around using AI in education—but she also sees how her district’s changing demographics require new engagement strategies. DeKalb used ThoughtExchange as a key engagement platform to develop its MIRACLES Framework, the district’s strategic plan to improve education quality and academic and operational performance to improve student outcomes. Our platform enabled DeKalb’s leadership to gather quality data from a broad range of community members to inform its eight areas of focus—a process that could take months without the instant, in-depth analysis ThoughtExchange’s proprietary AI specializes in. Our AI has transformed Dr. Williamson’s job in terms of efficiency and how effectively she can spend her time acting on community feedback. Burlington Public Schools gets better, faster climate survey reports with AI REPORTING TO THE BOARD Read the Full Story Burlington Public Schools used ThoughtExchange’s AI-powered platform for their climate survey, which ran for three weeks in December 2023. On January 2nd, Burlington’s leadership team presented staff with in-depth, high-quality climate survey results. With a traditional climate survey tool, the results could have taken a month or longer to surface. “The data was immediately available, easy to analyze, and easy to put together to share,” says Director of Mental Health Christine Conceison. “It was easily accessible by different demographics and groups. The time, for me, was spent on what to highlight, what to bring to the community, and what to show.” Superintendent Eric Conti is thrilled with how quickly he and Conceison shared the results with staff and community members. “We were able to do a very detailed analysis. And then we were able to present to the school committee and the community right away.” Implementing guidelines and regulations for AI use Establish clear guidelines for safely and responsibly using AI in education. Ensure AI tools are used ethically, focusing on student privacy and responsible usage. By providing guidance, leaders can ensure that AI enhances students’ learning experiences without compromising safety or privacy. Although AI is very new to most K-12 districts, many states, districts, and organizations have already developed AI policies and guidelines that can help districts as they develop their own. Selecting responsible AI vendors As a K-12 district, you are responsible for a vulnerable cohort: kids. As such, you need to be rigorous in choosing AI technology to ensure that any personal and academic data shared with AI is well protected. Teaching the future Just like the printer and the tablet, integrating AI into K-12 education can enhance learning and administrative efficiency—as long as districts approach it with responsibility and ethical considerations. Districts can demonstrate the responsible use of AI by encouraging AI literacy among educational partners and using AI technologies to streamline staff workflows and promote district objectives. However, selecting responsible AI vendors is paramount to protecting sensitive student and staff data. Engaging all educational partners—students, staff, parents, and community members—is vital in developing AI guidelines that reflect their diverse perspectives and foster trust. AI-powered engagement platforms like ThoughtExchange can streamline this process, offering fast, in-depth analysis and actionable insights that align with community priorities. Ultimately, AI’s role in education should be to expand and support the work of educators, not replace it. By implementing robust guidelines, providing ongoing training, and promoting an inclusive environment, districts can harness AI’s power to prepare students for a future where AI literacy is crucial.