How to Create a Responsible AI Policy for Your School or District, part 2

Don't miss part 1 of "How to Create a Responsible AI Policy for Your School or District," where we discuss establishing goals for AI use in your schools, developing a framework for AI procurement, and outlining data privacy and security protocols.

Here’s where the rubber meets the road  – no tool can make an impact without knowing how to use it effectively. The goal of this section in your responsible AI policy is to clearly communicate how you’ll prepare your faculty and staff, and even students, to use AI tools effectively and ethically.

Step #4: Share your educator training and support plan

Lots of decisions need to be made about training and support. Areas to consider covering:

Professional development‍

Explain how PD opportunities for educators will enhance their proficiency in integrating AI tech into classroom instruction. This includes having a roadmap for PD programs:

• Who is hosting the programs?
• Who is attending them?
• How often are they held?
• What topics should be covered?

Be sure to identify any training stakeholders (educators, administrators, students) will receive on ethical principles relevant to AI technologies, such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and respect for privacy.

Ongoing Resource Sharing

Share how you will provide ongoing support and resources for educators to stay informed about best practices and emerging trends in AI for education, including lesson plans, instructional materials, and online tutorials. Consider creating a community of practice in your school to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing between teachers.

Step #5: Identify how you will prioritize student well-being

Just as we want to ensure the technical aspects of security and access are covered, we want students to feel safe, supported, and empowered in their use of AI technologies. This means fostering open communication channels and providing students with the tools to navigate potential challenges.

In this section of the policy, explain how you will ensure that students’ safety is maintained in the deployment of AI technologies, including measures to protect against harmful or inappropriate content.

Elements to consider including:

• Create guidelines for monitoring and addressing potential negative impacts of AI on student mental health and well-being.
• Explain how you will ensure that AI technologies are designed with accessibility in mind to accommodate students with diverse needs and abilities.
• Share how you will ensure that all students have equitable access to AI tools.
• Be transparent about whether AI is permitted in grading.
• Identify training that will be required for educators on how bias can manifest in AI tools, how to identify bias in AI content, and what to do when it happens.
• Foster a culture of digital well-being through educational programs and initiatives that raise awareness of responsible tech use.

Step #6: Communicate your roll-out plan for your new AI tools

And last, but not least, you’ll want to round out your responsible AI policy by transparently communicating your process for deploying AI tools in your district. Clear communication to teachers, families, and students will help them know what to expect, better equipping everyone for success and easing concerns about AI adoption.

As part of this roll-out plan, we recommend the following strategies:

• Create a plan for systematically implementing AI tools to minimize disruption and maximize benefits. Pilot the AI tool in a controlled environment and solicit feedback from teachers and students. What was the experience like? What worked? What didn’t work?
• Identify the resources you will need to implement the AI technology, such as hardware, software, and personnel.
• List goals, outcomes, and expectations you have for a given tool. It’s important here to be realistic with your goals and timelines!
• Share timelines for when and how AI tools will be rolled out for each user group, including communication for families and guardians.
• After the tool has been implemented and is used regularly, review related data to assess the tool’s impact – did it accomplish what we wanted it to do? How well did it do it?

Setting Your District Up for Success

At its core, creating a district policy for AI technology is about fostering transparency and accountability. By adopting a thoughtful, proactive mindset and keeping an open dialogue with teachers, students, and family members, you’ll have the tools to navigate the dynamic landscape of AI responsibly and improve outcomes for your students.

Want to learn more about responsible AI policies? We’ve got you covered! Explore our Responsible AI Resource Center to learn about our education-centric approach to AI and our Responsible AI Policy Brief.

Ready to explore an AI solution built specifically for use in education? Sign up for a free Merlyn demo now.

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