AI Policies in Education: AI in Education: What’s your policy?
Generative AI tools have rapidly developed in recent years, offering enormous opportunities for schools. However, along with these opportunities, legal and ethical concerns need to be addressed. In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of having a school policy for AI use in education and the factors schools should consider to develop effective and responsible policies.
Legal Landscape and Data Protection
As the use of generative AI tools increases, so do the associated legal concerns. Copyright infringement and data protection issues have arisen, with lawsuits in the US and Europe against AI providers. European data protection authorities like Italy’s Garante and Spain’s AEPD are also investigating AI providers like ChatGPT to ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
For schools, this means they must carefully consider the accuracy, ownership, and liability of AI-generated content, as well as the protection of confidential information, terms of use, and their general liability exposure as users and developers of generative AI technology.
Balancing Risks and Opportunities
Developing a comprehensive and effective policy for AI use in schools involves understanding the potential risks associated with generative AI tools and balancing them against the opportunities they offer. Without a policy in place, schools may expose themselves to unmanaged risks and miss out on AI’s potential benefits.
Formulating Policies and Guidelines
Creating a policy for AI use in schools is not a one-size-fits-all process. The nature and extent of the risks posed by generative AI tools vary depending on the technology used, the data it is trained on, and the purpose for which it is employed.
Some of the factors that schools should consider when developing their AI policies include the following:
- The specific technology being used and the data it is trained on.
- The purpose for which the technology is being used and the types of data being inputted.
- How AI-generated outputs will be presented in a classroom setting.
- The necessary Data Protection Impact Assessments conducted and on file.
- The contractual arrangements in place for the use of the technology and any liability that may arise.
- Specific training is provided to staff to use the technology safely and securely.
How to move forward
Developing and refining a generative AI policy or guidelines is an iterative process, and it requires input from a range of stakeholders, such as teachers, administrators, and subject matter experts. The policy should align with the school’s overall strategy for generative AI and be kept under review as the legal landscape for generative AI tools continues to evolve.
Because its new doesn’t mean it has to be hard
Generative AI offers significant opportunities for schools, but it’s essential to have a policy to address the legal and ethical concerns of its use. By engaging with AI responsibly and developing effective policies, schools can harness the full potential of generative AI while ensuring compliance with regulations and mitigating risks.
