7 steps to implementing a policy on AI use at your school

We surveyed over 100 educators on if, “Your school/educational institution has a clear, well-understood policy on AI use”.

32.1% “strongly disagreed” with the above statement, and a further 16.8% of respondents “somewhat disagreed” with the statement. A more polarized 7.6% of respondents said they have “zero policy on AI.” 9.9% were neutral on whether they have clear policies on AI use, 28.2% of respondents “somewhat agreed” with the above statement.

To read the full report, download GPTZero’s guide, AI unpacked: A teacher’s companion to discussing AI in class.

Here are the 7 steps to championing a policy on AI use in your school/educational institution:

1. Research and Understand AI: Like you’re doing right now! Before initiating the conversation, ensure you have a solid understanding of AI technologies, their potential benefits, risks, and ethical implications in the context of education. This will help you articulate your points effectively and address any concerns or questions that may arise during the discussion.
2. Gather Information: Collect information on existing policies and guidelines related to AI use in education from reputable sources such as Temple University’s, A Faculty Guide to A.I. Use this information to inform your discussions and propose recommendations tailored to your school's specific needs and circumstances.
3. Identify Stakeholders: Identify key stakeholders within your school or educational institution who have the authority or influence to initiate policy changes related to AI use. This may include administrators, educators, IT personnel, parents, and students.
4. Present Your Case: Present your research, findings, and rationale for implementing a policy on AI use. Highlight the potential benefits, risks, and ethical considerations associated with AI technologies in education. Use concrete examples and case studies to illustrate your points. Encourage collaboration and solicitation of feedback from stakeholders throughout the policy development process. This will help ensure that the policy is comprehensive, practical, and reflective of the diverse perspectives within the educational community.
5. Draft the Policy: Based on the input received from stakeholders, work collaboratively to draft a comprehensive policy on AI use in education. Clearly outline the objectives, guidelines, procedures, and responsibilities associated with the implementation and management of AI technologies in educational settings. Present the drafted policy to relevant decision-makers or governing bodies within your school or educational institution for approval. Once approved, work with stakeholders to ensure effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the policy over time.
6. Promote Awareness and Training: Develop and implement initiatives to promote awareness and provide training on the AI policy for educators, staff, students, and parents. This will help ensure widespread understanding and adherence to the policy guidelines.
7. Monitor and Review: Continuously monitor the implementation of the AI policy and regularly review its effectiveness in achieving the intended objectives. Make adjustments or revisions as necessary based on feedback, emerging trends, or changes in regulatory requirements.

Here are the best AI practices you can implement into your policies:

• Become familiar with AI technology yourself. There’s already a lot of robust, critical work being done around AI for the classroom. Take for example, AI prompts for teaching - this is a practical guide written by a professor and subject matter expert, with actual prompt examples. There’s also the Gettysburg College - teaching in the age of AI website, with several valuable lessons and resources. You don’t have to go it alone.
• Teach lessons on things like digital literacy and ethics in technology. Grappling with AI in the classroom can be a learning experience for you and your students. Through discussions on the ethical use of AI and its impact on society, students can engage in a real way with these concepts.
• Use AI as a springboard for group work and collaboration, and keep lessons interactive. When students combine their diverse skills and perspectives on a group project involving AI, AI becomes a springboard for collaboration and critical thinking. You’ll be demonstrating an ethical framework for engaging with AI, beyond the “copy/paste and steal” potential of the technology.
• For students with disabilities, students for whom English is a second language, and students who may not have a laptop at home, it’s important to ensure equitable access to AI tools. Implement school-based programs that lend devices or offer safe, technology-equipped spaces. Where necessary, tailor lessons with assistive features, such as speech-to-text capabilities or visual aids.
• Assume all students will use ChatGPT and other AI tools at their disposal, and plan accordingly. Resources like AI education project (with actual lesson plans) and can be your guide for how to proceed on a granular, curriculum-based level.

Having a clear policy is just one of many initiatives to significantly improve our understanding and experiences with AI identification. The most important step towards responsibly adopting AI identification continues to be having human conversations — especially on when and where it should be applied. As an educator, you have a wave of new tools at your disposal for incorporating AI in your classroom and detecting it in writing. So where do you begin? 


Start with GPTZero.