An AI Policy is Crucial for Each School.

Karen Walstra
5 days ago
6 min read

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various aspects of society, including education, makes it absolutely vital for schools to develop and implement comprehensive AI policies.

Without clear guidelines, schools risk a multitude of challenges and miss out on the immense potential AI offers.

Why is an AI policy crucial for every school?

1. Ensuring Responsible and Ethical Use with an AI Policy

Put People First: Respect all adults, in the school, and children's rights and support human agency through a "human-in-the-loop" approach. where the person’s oversight is necessary to augment AI capabilities and support human judgement.
- Each leadership member and teacher provides critical validation for AI, adding nuance and local knowledge to ensure ethical deployment. The policy must stipulate that AI responses should be checked and verified by humans before being shared or used.
- This directly counters the risks of AI bias.
- For learners, this means they must critically evaluate AI-generated content and understand that humans are ultimately responsible for decisions made based on AI insights.

Data Privacy and Security: AI tools often rely on vast amounts of data, including sensitive student information. A robust AI policy must outline strict guidelines for data collection, usage, storage, and security to comply with privacy laws (such as POPIA in South Africa, or FERPA in the US) and protect student data from breaches or misuse.

Bias and Fairness: AI algorithms can inherit and amplify biases present in their training data, potentially leading to unfair or discriminatory outcomes for students.⁵ A policy helps address this by promoting the use of equitable AI tools and encouraging critical evaluation of AI-generated content for bias.⁶
Academic Integrity: Generative AI tools like ChatGPT can easily produce essays or answers, raising concerns about plagiarism and cheating. A policy is essential to define acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in academic work, educate students on ethical AI use, and promote critical thinking over reliance on AI for original work.

Be Trustworthy: Ensure that AI products do not perpetuate misinformation or disinformation and avoid contradicting well-established expert consensus.

Human Oversight and Judgment: AI should augment, not replace, human intelligence and interaction in education. The policy needs to emphasise that AI tools are support mechanisms, and educators retain the ultimate responsibility for pedagogical decisions, assessment, and student well-being.

2. Providing Clarity and Consistency with an AI Policy

Clear Guidelines for All Stakeholders: An AI policy provides a shared understanding for students, teachers, administrators, and parents about how AI tools can and should be used. This reduces confusion and inconsistency in AI implementation across the school.
Addressing Misuse and Consequences: By clearly defining what constitutes AI misuse (e.g., cheating, generating harmful content) and outlining the consequences, schools can maintain accountability and guide student behaviour.
Adapting to a Changing Landscape: AI is evolving at an unprecedented pace. A "living document" policy that is regularly reviewed and updated ensures the school remains adaptable and responsive to new AI technologies and challenges.

3. Maximising Educational Benefits with an AI Policy

Personalised Learning: AI can enable highly personalised learning experiences, adapting to individual student needs, pace, and learning styles. A policy can guide the thoughtful integration of AI tools to enhance this.
Teacher Support and Efficiency: AI can automate administrative tasks, assist with lesson planning, content creation, and even provide feedback, freeing up teachers' time for more meaningful interactions with students. The policy helps ensure AI is used effectively to reduce workload and enhance teaching.
Developing Future-Ready Skills: Students need to understand AI's principles, applications, and ethical implications to thrive in an AI-driven world. An AI policy can integrate AI literacy into the curriculum, preparing students for future academic and career demands.
Promoting Innovation: A well-crafted policy can encourage the exploration and adoption of innovative AI tools that genuinely enhance learning outcomes and administrative efficiency.

4. Mitigating Risks and Challenges with an AI Policy

Lack of Training and Knowledge: Many educators may not be familiar with AI tools or best practices. A policy should include provisions for professional development and training to equip staff with the necessary skills and understanding.
Over-reliance on Technology: Without proper guidance, there's a risk of students over-relying on AI, potentially hindering the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning skills. The policy can set boundaries and promote balanced AI use.
Misinformation and Accuracy: AI can sometimes generate inaccurate or biased information. The policy should emphasise critical evaluation of AI outputs and the importance of fact-checking.
Digital Divide: Unequal access to AI tools and digital literacy can exacerbate existing disparities. A policy should consider equity and access to ensure all students benefit from AI integration.

The AI Policy Example

[School Name] Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

1. Introduction

This policy outlines the ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies by learners, teachers, and staff at [School Name]. It aims to ensure that AI is used in a way that supports learning, promotes equity and inclusion, and protects student data privacy.

2. Guiding Principles

Ethical Use: AI will be used ethically, transparently and responsibly considering potential biases and promoting fairness.
Student-Centred Learning: AI will be used to enhance, not replace, human interaction and critical thinking in education.
Equity and Inclusion: AI will be implemented in a way that ensures equitable access and benefits for all learners.
Data Privacy: Student data will be protected and used responsibly in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Collaboration: The school will involve stakeholders (teachers, learners, parents, and staff) in decisions about AI use.

3. Acceptable Use for Learners

Permitted Tools: Learners may use AI tools for specific purposes such as:
- Research and information gathering
- Brainstorming and generating ideas
- Receiving feedback on writing
- Creating presentations and projects
- Practicing skills and receiving personalised support
Academic Integrity:
- Learners must cite and acknowledge any AI assistance in their work.
- Using AI to generate content for assessments without permission is prohibited.
Responsible Use:
- Learners will be educated on the ethical implications of AI and responsible digital citizenship.
- Learners will critically evaluate AI-generated content and not rely on it uncritically.
- Learners will not use AI to create deepfakes or engage in any malicious activities.

4. Acceptable Use for Teachers

Instructional Uses: Teachers may use AI tools for:
- Personalised learning and differentiation
- Providing feedback and assessments
- Analysing student data to identify learning needs
- Creating engaging learning experiences
- Automating administrative tasks
Ethical Considerations:
- Teachers will ensure AI tools are used fairly and do not perpetuate biases.
- Teachers will maintain human oversight and not solely rely on AI for decision-making.
- Teachers will use AI to support, not replace, their professional judgment and interaction with learners.

5. Acceptable Use for Staff

Administrative Tasks: Staff may use AI tools for tasks such as:
- Communication and scheduling
- Data analysis and reporting
- Security and safety monitoring
Data Privacy:
- Staff will adhere to data privacy policies when using AI tools that process personal data.
- Staff will ensure that AI systems used by the school are secure and protect confidential information.

6. Data Privacy and Security

Transparency: The school will inform learners and parents about how AI tools collect and use data.
Consent: The school will obtain necessary consent for using student data in AI applications.
Data Protection: The school will implement security measures to protect student data from unauthorised access.
Data Retention: The school will have clear policies on data retention and deletion.

7. Implementation and Review

Professional Development: Teachers and staff will receive training on the ethical and effective use of AI tools.
Student Education: AI literacy and ethics will be integrated into the curriculum.
Policy Review: This policy will be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect advancements in AI and best practices.

8. Contact Information

For questions or concerns regarding this AI policy, please contact:

[Name and contact information of designated staff member]

This policy was approved by [School Governing Body/Board of Directors / ] on [Date].

In conclusion, an AI policy is not merely a bureaucratic formality; it is a fundamental necessity for schools navigating the complexities and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. It serves as a roadmap for ethical, responsible, and effective AI integration, safeguarding students and staff while harnessing AI's transformative potential to enhance teaching and learning for all.