Artificial Intelligence Guidelines

AI is a rapidly evolving field that offers many opportunities and challenges for education. AI refers to machines or software that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as problem-solving and decision-making.  AI is a tool that can enhance human capabilities and improve learning outcomes, but it also comes with limitations and risks that need to be addressed and regulated, including accuracy, reliability, fairness, transparency, accountability, and its implications on society, ethics, laws, and the environment.

Generative AI creates content like text, images, music, video, or data based on user input or existing data. It uses machine learning models to generate similar data. For example, it can summarize text or generate images.

It's important to note that generative AI is not always reliable. It may produce inaccurate, misleading, biased, offensive, or harmful content. It can also infringe on intellectual property or data privacy rights. Therefore, cautious and critical thinking is necessary when using generative AI.

Data privacy is an important focus in SUSD. Currently, SUSD reviews and approves digital resources to ensure they align with the curriculum and protect data as well as adhere to federal and state laws.

Data privacy is a right that protects personal information from unauthorized access or use. It includes, but is not limited to, data that identifies an individual, such as name, address, email, phone number, social security number, biometric data, health records, educational records and schoolwork, or online activity. When using generative AI applications, consideration for data privacy is critical. For additional considerations about to protecting the American public in the age of artificial intelligence, see the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights from the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The goal of education is to prepare students for their future, which will include AI-powered tools. By learning about AI, and how to appropriately use AI-powered tools, students will be prepared for the opportunities that await them in the future beyond classroom walls.

AI also has the potential to further educational objectives, including differentiating learning for each student, providing feedback for just-in-time learning, improving engagement in the learning process, and analyzing student performance. However, it cannot replace a skilled and caring educator or the social context that supports a learning community. It is a tool for humans to use with discernment in the learning process. See Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning from the U.S. Office of Educational Technology for more information.

Culture and climate is a goal in the SUSD strategic plan, defined as creating “...conditions for highly effective teaching, learning, and leading.” Empowering educators to make decisions and take actions that benefit their students is crucial for providing quality education and ensuring job satisfaction. AI can be a valuable tool for empowering educators in various ways:

• Multiple Systems of Support: AI can assist educators in tailoring interventions or learning experiences to meet the specific needs, interests, and abilities of their students while aligning with district and state standards.
  
  
• Instructional delivery: as educators work to provide collaborative, real-world learning experiences for students, AI can assist in the planning and preparation.
  
  
• Communication: AI can help educators quickly generate initial drafts or modify communications, such as adjusting tone or length.
  
  
• Professional learning: Just as AI can provide resources for learners, educators can also benefit from AI resources for situational feedback and information.

It is important to note that AI is a tool to support educators in meeting the diverse needs of all students in the classroom which requires expertise in multiple domains. Through the implementation of ongoing professional development, AI can serve as a valuable tool in this process. See Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning from the U.S. Office of Educational Technology for more information.

Student use of generative AI refers to the educational use of AI applications or tools that can create new text, images, music, video, etc. based on user input. Student use of generative AI aligns with the Arizona Educational Technology Standards (2022) including Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen, Knowledge Constructor, and Creative Communicator by:

• Improving skills - Generative AI can help students improve their critical thinking skills in various areas, such as writing, reading, speaking, listening, or coding. Generative AI can also help students learn new skills or languages that they may not have access to otherwise.
• Expanding knowledge - Generative AI can help students access and synthesize information from diverse and global sources and resources. Generative AI can also help students discover and learn about new topics, fields, or cultures that they may not be familiar with. It is recommended students learning with AI also learn about AI (see Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning from the U.S. Office of Educational Technology for more information).
• Supporting inquiry - Generative AI can help students formulate questions, hypotheses, or arguments that can guide their inquiry or research. Generative AI can also help students find and evaluate evidence, data, or sources that can support their inquiry or research.
• Enhancing creativity - Generative AI can help students generate new ideas, concepts, or perspectives that can inspire their own creative work or thinking. Generative AI can also help students explore different domains, genres, styles, or formats of expression.

Student use of generative AI is not a substitute or a shortcut for student learning or academic work. Learning to evaluate digital sources and intellectual property aligns with the Arizona Educational Technology (2022) standards for students, especially Empowered Learner and Digital Citizen. Student use of generative AI has the following limitations and challenges:

• Accuracy - the content may not always be accurate, reliable, factual, or relevant. Generative AI may also produce content that is misleading, biased, offensive, or harmful. Therefore, instruction for students will need to continue to improve evaluation skills in order to verify and validate the content generated by generative AI.
• Originality - the content may not always be original, novel, or unique. Generative AI may also produce content that is plagiarized, duplicated, or derivative. It may also infringe on intellectual property rights or data privacy rights. Therefore, students need to understand and comply with ethical standards while acknowledging and citing the content generated by generative AI using appropriate references or formats.

To ensure student use of generative AI in a safe, ethical, and responsible manner, the following principles and practices should be followed in order to avoid a violation of academic integrity:

• Awareness - As developmentally appropriate, students should be aware of what generative AI is, how it works, its benefits and limitations, and the best practices and policies for using it in education. 
• Permission and Transparency - Students should follow the specific guidelines or instructions provided by their teachers for using generative AI for each assignment or activity. When in doubt, students should seek permission from their teachers before using generative AI for their academic work. Guidance may include providing the input, output, and source of the generative AI they use for their academic work. 
• Reflection - Students should reflect on how they use generative AI for their academic work or personal learning. Students should also evaluate the quality, relevance, and usefulness of the content generated by generative AI for their academic work or personal learning.

Digital resources used by staff or students in SUSD, whether free or purchased, must be vetted. Information for SUSD employees about the process and currently approved (as of 07/2024) resources can be found at our Software Resources Page. Currently approved generative AI resources include:

• Staff
  • Copilot for the Web (formerly Bing Chat)  
  • Magic School Enterprise 
  • Canva (Magic Studio Features)
  • Adobe Express for Education 
• Students
  • Canva Magic Studio Features (varies by age)

  • MagicSchool for Students 

  • Adobe Express for Education – coming soon! 

Next steps for supporting world-class, future-focused learning through the safe use of artificial intelligence were informed by the ISTE guide Bringing AI to Schools: Tips for School Leaders and include:

• Sharing SUSD AI Guidelines with stakeholders and reviewing regularly to provide updates as needed.

• Providing professional development for teachers and staff on the effective and responsible use of artificial intelligence, with the option to interact with AI resources as they become comfortable.

• Assessing the potential need to provide guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in the Student Code of Conduct.

• Continually evaluating and approving digital resources (including those with artificial intelligence) that align with SUSD learning goals and meet data privacy requirements.

• Monitoring and evaluating the impact and outcomes of using artificial intelligence in education on student learning, teacher empowerment, and school improvement.