AI POLICY FOR SCHOOLS

This AI Policy For Schools (“Policy”) aims to establish clear and responsible guidelines for the use of AI tools and applications by teachers, school administrators, and students. It defines acceptable uses, promotes academic integrity, helps ensure data privacy, and supports the ethical use of AI in the school environment.

By setting these standards, the school seeks to foster a safe, ethical, and productive learning environment in connection with the use of AI (artificial intelligence).

As used in this Policy, “AI” means tools like Chatgpt, Gemini, Copilot, and other websites and computer-based resources one can use to research things, get answers, help with writing, create images, video, and other content, and the like.

AI can be very helpful when used ethically, to assist with research, brainstorming, formulating questions, and coming up with suggestions and ideas for work, projects, assignments, lesson plans, curriculums, and the like. AI should always be used with transparency, openness, and fairness to others.

Despite the many benefits of AI when used properly and ethically, it can also be used for wrongful purposes, and can get you in trouble. The following are just some examples of how not to use AI. Always use good judgment when using AI. If you are using or have used AI for any of the unacceptable things listed below, or you learn of someone else doing so, you should report it - if you’re a teacher or administrator, report it to your manager; if you’re a student, report it to your teacher(s) or to a school administrator.

It’s also important to remember that, as impressive as AI may seem, it’s well understood that AI only “knows” the information that has been “fed” into it. If the information inputted into it is imperfect (which is almost always the case), the output will be imperfect, and may be inaccurate, misleading, incomplete, and even completely wrong. Given these things, trusting AI to provide 100% reliable answers and content would be foolish.

The following are just some of the inappropriate ways AI can be used in education. Just because something may not be listed here doesn’t mean it is acceptable. Again, use good judgment, and if you have any questions about this Policy, raise it with an appropriate adult at the school if you’re a student, or with your manager if you’re a teacher or administrator.

Note that violating this Policy can result in bad consequences for the violator, including discipline, bad grades, suspension, and even expulsion or dismissal. It can also cause legal and other problems for the school.

Here is the partial list of things not to do with AI:

Using AI to Do Your Work

AI is intended to be a helpful tool, not a substitute for doing work yourself. AI should never be used to write an essay or paper, answer quiz or test questions, complete an assignment, do your homework, prepare a lesson plan, write a memo to give to someone else, or to grade, evaluate, or assess papers or student performance on tests, quizzes, assignments, or homework.

Violating Anyone’s Privacy and Data Security

AI should never be used to gather personal, private data on another person, or to help “hack” into any account, system, or database. This includes both personal accounts and school, business, and government databases and systems. AI should always be used in compliance with the law, including but not limited to compliance with privacy laws such as FERPA and COPPA. Note that there can be legal penalties and even criminal prosecution for violating such laws, using AI or otherwise.

Bullying and Harassment

AI should never be used to bully, put down, criticize, or harass anyone, for any reason. Do not use AI to expose or spread another person’s or a group’s personal secrets or information to anyone. The school should be a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

Bias, Prejudice, and Discrimination

The school does not tolerate prejudice, bias, or discrimination toward anyone. AI should never be used to do or in connection with any of these things. Output from AI tools and chatbots should be scrutinized to make sure that it does not promote or encourage any of these things, or to make decisions or take actions against any group based on race, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, or ability.

Inappropriate Content

AI should not be used in connection with any form of inappropriate content, such as that of a sexual, violent, harassing, racist, mean, or any other content that is not acceptable in an educational setting. This includes inputting (typing or pasting in) such content into AI, and using AI to get output or the generation of such content. Using AI for such purposes will not be tolerated.

Use by Young Children without Supervision

Teachers and administrators should not let young students use AI without close supervision. AI can produce results that are inappropriate and even harmful to them. The safety and well-being of all students is of paramount importance. Parents should be able to trust that their children are not being exposed to harmful content when at school or when they are otherwise using school- provided resources.

High-Stakes Decision Making

Using AI for high-stakes decisions, such as determining a student’s academic progression, grading, or disciplinary actions, without human oversight is inappropriate. Likewise, AI should not be used to assess the performance, promotion, or tenure of any teacher or administrator. AI should support, not replace, the professional judgment of educators. Likewise, AI should not be used by students to decide who should make a team or be able to join a club or participate in any school-related activity.

Non-Educational Purposes

AI resources are provided in the school setting for educational purposes, not for personal or non-educational objectives, such as to pass the time, have fun, or goof off.

Using Others’ Content without their Permission

You should never use the written content, photos, videos, images, drawings, logos, artwork, or other such content in connection with education, unless the owner / creator of that content has given their written permission to you to use it. Violating this principle can result in copyright, trademark, and other legal violations.

It’s easy to use AI for good purposes, but using AI in any of the unacceptable ways listed in this Policy, among others, can get you in trouble personally, with very negative consequences for you, and can also result in financial and other harm to the school. Don’t be someone who does that. We’re all in this together!

 
The school reserves the right to modify this Policy over time.

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