Develop a Basic AI Use Policy

Develop a Basic AI Use Policy

Creating a basic AI use policy is an important step in your district's progression from Nascent to Emerging maturity in AI governance. This policy will set the foundation for responsible AI use across your district, providing clear guidelines for staff and students.

Purpose and Importance

An AI use policy establishes boundaries and expectations for AI technology use in your district. It helps ensure that AI is used ethically, safely, and in alignment with your educational goals. This policy will guide decision-making around AI adoption and use, helping to mitigate risks and maximize benefits.

Building Your Policy

Assemble a Working Group

Leverage your AI Oversight Committee to form a working group focused on policy development. Include:

• Technology leaders
• Curriculum specialists
• Legal counsel (if available)
• Teachers
• Student representatives (for upper grades)

Define the Scope

Determine what your initial policy will cover. Consider including:

• Allowed and prohibited uses of AI
• Data privacy and security considerations
• Ethical guidelines for AI use
• Processes for adopting new AI tools
• Guidelines for AI use in student work and assessment

Start with essential elements and plan to expand the policy as your district's AI maturity grows.

Draft the Policy

When writing your policy:

• Use clear, concise language
• Define key terms related to AI
• Align with existing district policies (e.g., acceptable use, data privacy)
• Consider potential impacts on different stakeholder groups
• Include procedures for policy violations

Review and Refine

Share the draft with key stakeholders for feedback:

• Consider legal review if possible
• Revise based on input received

Implementation and Communication

Approval Process

Present the policy to the school board or appropriate governing body for approval. Be prepared to explain the policy's importance and address questions.

Communication Plan

Develop a strategy to inform all stakeholders about the new policy. Create user-friendly summaries or guides for different audiences (e.g., teachers, students, parents).

Training and Support

Plan training sessions to educate staff on the new policy. Establish a point of contact for questions or concerns about AI use.

Navigating Challenges

Be prepared for potential hurdles such as:

• Balancing innovation with risk management
• Addressing concerns about AI's impact on learning and assessment
• Keeping the policy current with rapidly evolving AI technologies

To address these challenges, maintain open communication channels and plan for regular policy reviews and updates.

Measuring Progress

Track the policy's effectiveness through:

• Increased awareness of AI use guidelines among staff and students
• Reduction in inappropriate or risky AI use incidents
• Positive feedback from stakeholders on clarity of AI use expectations

Next Steps

With a basic AI use policy in place, your district will be better positioned to:

• Evaluate and adopt AI tools more systematically
• Address ethical considerations in AI use more effectively
• Move forward with other elements of your AI governance framework

Remember, this initial policy is a starting point. Plan to revisit and refine it regularly as your district's experience with AI grows and as new AI applications emerge in education.