Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

Washington Middle School’s Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

At Washington Middle School, we recognize that AI can be a helpful tool. We also know that the use of AI presents challenges for student growth and online security.

When to Use AI

Students can use district approved AI tools when directed by their teacher. The AI tools provided by the district have been vetted to ensure information entered into the tool is not shared. Teachers will allow the use of AI to support student learning without sacrificing the academic skills being learned.

If a teacher has not told a student they can/should use AI for their work, students are expected to not use any AI tools.

Lessons for Responsible Use of AI

SPS has provided a series of lessons that students will participate in throughout the year to support their understanding of how to use AI in an ethical, responsible way.

Use this lesson to help students get acquainted with how AI works and consider some of its potential benefits and drawbacks.

Artificial intelligence is often trained on data we share online. Help students become more critical and responsible users of this technology by gaining a deeper understanding of how AI uses data to learn and create.

In this lesson, students will explore how and why AI chatbots are designed to sound so human-like, which will help them think critically about why this can be both helpful and harmful.

In this lesson, students will grapple with the question of how generative chatbots can feel like friends, reflecting upon what makes human friendships special and unique.

In this lesson, students will think critically about the training data that informs what AI tools can do and consider possible ways to reduce AI bias.

In this lesson, students will think critically about AI bias and how it affects the world.

Use this lesson to help your students think critically about how AI is shaping their experiences online in both helpful and harmful ways.

Facial recognition is one of the many applications of AI technology. Use this dilemma and thinking routine to help students consider the benefits and drawbacks of facial recognition.

The number of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has grown significantly over the past few years. Some of the most popular tools are capable of creating seemingly original content, like images or text. Help students consider the ethical dilemmas of using AI to create content and help them identify the appropriate use of these tools in a school setting.

Development and demand for AI tools comes with a growing concern of their environmental cost. Recent research shows AI’s significant need for energy, including electricity and water consumption.