Generative AI (GenAI) Guidance

Generative AI (GenAI) holds transformative potential for K-12 education, offering powerful tools to support curriculum development, personalize learning experiences, and enhance communication with families and staff.

However, as we integrate AI into educational settings, it is crucial to approach its use with intentionality, transparency, and responsibility. Educators and students alike must develop a clear understanding of GenAI’s capabilities, ethical considerations, and potential limitations, including biases and inaccuracies. The Educational Technology Department is committed to ensuring that all students, teachers, administrators, and staff have equitable access to and become proficient users of Generative AI (GenAI) as a valuable instructional resource. By establishing guidelines for data security, privacy, and proper citation, and by encouraging critical thinking around AI, we can create learning environments where GenAI supports—not supplants—the creative and intellectual work of students and educators. In doing so, we can leverage AI to open new pathways for learning while upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and equity by keeping humans in the loop.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) The ability of a computer or machine, to think and learn Generative AI (Gen AI) AI that creates new data and content based on large data sets (ex. ChatGPT, Dall-E, Gemini, etc.)

Ethical Use

• Transparency in GenAI Usage: When utilizing Generative AI (GenAI), both educators and students should reflect on whether the AI is supporting the work or doing the work for them. If you’re hesitant to be open about your use, it may be worth reconsidering.
• Review and Vetting: All content generated by GenAI must be thoroughly reviewed and vetted for accuracy, bias, and alignment with the intended goals. Document the prompt, tool, and output to demonstrate how GenAI was used and your interaction with the content.
• Proper Citation: Always identify and cite the use of GenAI appropriately. Refer to resources like "How to Cite GenAI" for guidance.
• Classroom Expectations: Educators should clearly communicate their expectations regarding the use of GenAI in their classrooms and on specific assignments to ensure transparency. Refer to resources like the Matt Miller graphic for guidance.
• Plagiarism and Academic Integrity: Align GenAI use with your school’s plagiarism and academic integrity guidance.

Data Security, Approval, Equity & Access

• Student Data Privacy: Safeguarding CPS students' personal information is a top priority. Generative AI collects data to inform its algorithms, so its use should be intentional and mindful of privacy.
• Adherence to Guidelines: Follow the guidelines of the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) to ensure tools used comply with student data privacy agreements. Please refer to this CPS list of approved tools.
• Approved vs. Not Approved Tools: CPS-approved Generative AI tools include SchoolAI for all students, Canva and MagicSchool for students 13 and older, and Gemini for CRLS students. Tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are not approved for student use.
• Confidential Data: Do not input student or staff personally identifiable information (ex. name, email, ID, etc.) into open or public Gen AI models, even if using paid subscriptions like ChatGPT Plus or MagicSchool.

Instructional Use

• Exploration and Innovation: Educators are encouraged to explore the possibilities and limitations of Gen AI for curriculum development, communication, and programming. Gen AI can enhance access and opportunities for students.
• Curriculum and Communication: Gen AI can assist in differentiating instruction, planning curriculum, and improving communication with families and staff.
• Evaluate and Reflect: Educators should critically evaluate AI-generated content for bias and ethical considerations. Seek support from building-based Instructional Technology Specialists for integrating Gen AI tools into instruction.
• AI Literacy and Critical Thinking: Before incorporating Gen AI into classroom instruction, educators should become literate in Gen AI concepts. Teach students about Gen AI, its functioning, potential biases, ethical issues, and the importance of critical thinking.
• Classroom Policies: Develop and communicate a clear academic policy regarding Gen AI use in the classroom, emphasizing the importance of ethics, copyright, and academic honesty.

AI Bias and AI Hallucinations

• Understanding AI Bias: AI bias occurs when the tool generates inaccurate or misleading content due to biased training data. This is similar to human bias, where incomplete or skewed data results in unfair or inaccurate outcomes.
• Identifying AI Hallucinations: An AI hallucination happens when the AI generates incorrect or nonsensical information. This occurs when the AI tool generalizes from its training data in ways that lead to false output. AI might produce answers that seem convincing but are not based on real facts or data.