Artificial Intelligence

Position Statement on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Atlanta Public Schools

Introduction

As part of our commitment to providing a cutting-edge, equitable, and comprehensive education, we are excited to introduce the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Atlanta Public Schools. We believe these technologies hold significant potential to enhance the learning experiences of our students, support our teachers, and engage our parents. This position statement outlines our key principles and guidelines for integrating AI into our educational framework.  

Our district advocates the effective and active use of technology, focusing on the task and not the tool, including the use of AI as a complement to classroom instruction and the productivity of employees.  We understand that AI does not and will not act as a replacement for human interaction and guidance.

Key Principles

Our vision is to leverage AI to create a dynamic, personalized, and inclusive learning environment. Our key principles include: 

1. Enhancing Learning Outcomes: Utilize AI to provide student-centered learning that caters to the diverse needs of our students, helping each student achieve their full potential.

2. Supporting Teachers: Offer AI tools that assist teachers in planning, instruction, and assessment, enabling them to focus more on student engagement and individualized instruction. Artificial intelligence (AI) should be integrated into education in a way that complements proven teaching methods and strategies. Schools must ensure that AI tools and technologies align with research-based practices, curriculum goals, and our district's overall educational mission.

3. Engaging Parents: Provide parents with insights and resources to better understand and support their children's learning journey.

4. Ethical Considerations: We prioritize ethical considerations, including  student privacy, data security, and digital citizenship. Compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and district policies is essential. We are committed to fostering a culture of responsible and ethical use of AI among our students and staff.

5. Professional Development: Ongoing professional development will be provided to ensure that our educators are equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices. Support and training will also be available for staff, students and parents.

6. Continuous Evaluation: We will continuously evaluate the impact of AI on student learning outcomes and engagement. Feedback from district staff, educators, students, and parents will be integral in refining our strategies and optimizing the use of AI tools.

Introduction to AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables machines to think and learn like humans. It can process information, recognize patterns, and solve problems, just as people do. In education, AI can tailor learning to individual students, handle routine tasks, and create more engaging lessons. As AI continues to advance, it's crucial to develop clear rules for using it responsibly and effectively in K-12 schools.

Conclusion

The integration of AI in our district is an exciting step towards a more student-centered, engaging, and effective educational experience for our students. By embracing these technologies, we aim to enhance learning outcomes, support our teachers, and engage our parents, all while maintaining our commitment to ethical practices and continuous improvement. Together, we can harness the power of AI to prepare our students for the future.

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EXPLORE - INVESTIGATE - ITERATE

AI for Learning Success

• Integrate AI tools into your study routine by utilizing them for research assistance, organization, and time management.
• AI tools can help streamline your workflow, making your study sessions more efficient and productive without compromising your own learning.

Verify Information

• Always double-check AI information with trusted sources.
• This strengthens your learning and makes you a stronger researcher.
• Be ready to proudly share how you used AI.
• Your teacher may ask you to walk through your process so they can celebrate your growth.

Stay Ethical

• Use AI responsibly by giving credit to how it helped you, while keeping your original ideas front and center.
• Great learning comes from balancing technology with your own creativity and critical thinking.
• For some assignments (ie. journals, reflections, or discussion posts, etc.) your teacher may encourage you to shine with your own voice.
• When in doubt, ask for clarity so you can feel confident about your choices.

The Human Element

• To truly harness the power of AI, we must keep the human element at the center. It's the human touch that provides the critical thinking, emotional support, and ethical guidance that technology alone can't replicate.

Privacy and Security

• Keep yourself and your school safe by protecting your privacy.
• Only use AI with your own ideas, and avoid sharing class materials or personal information.
• Your voice is what makes your learning valuable. Protect it!

Accountability

• Using AI wisely helps you grow as a learner.
• If you skip the learning and turn in work that isn’t yours, you miss building your own skills.
• Staying responsible with AI shows integrity and prepares you for success in school and beyond.

Need Help?

• If you’re unsure about how to use AI, just ask!
• Your teacher is there to guide you and cheer you on as you learn how to use these tools in the best way.

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AI Best Practices for Students

Spanish Version

ENGAGE - COLLABORATE - INNOVATE

Personalize Instruction

• A major benefit of AI in education is its capability to personalize learning experiences.
• AI platforms evaluate students' performance and learning styles to develop customized learning paths.
• This approach aids struggling students with additional practice while challenging advanced learners, improving engagement and effectiveness in learning.

Evaluate the Outputs

• AI tools can be helpful, but they’re not always perfect.
• Educators should verify AI outputs and teach students to evaluate AI-generated information.
• This builds essential media literacy and critical thinking skills while helping learners recognize and challenge bias, stereotypes, or inaccuracies

Human First Approach

• AI is a supportive tool, never a replacement for teachers.
• By using AI to streamline tasks like lesson planning and grading, educators can focus more on building relationships, fostering creativity, and supporting students emotionally and academically.
• Keeping the human element first ensures that critical thinking and personal connections drive learning.

Set Clear Boundaries

• Help students succeed by making expectations around AI explicit.
• Clarify when AI is welcome as a support tool and when assignments must reflect only the student’s own thinking and voice.
• Clear boundaries empower students to use AI responsibly and confidently.

Model Transparency

• Lead by example.
• When you use AI for brainstorming, formatting, or planning, share that with students.
• Modeling transparency shows that integrity and openness are essential in responsible technology use.

Protect Content and Privacy

• Always safeguard student information and APS instructional materials.
• Remind students not to upload quizzes, rubrics, or personal data into public AI tools.
• Protecting privacy ensures both compliance and trust in how AI is used.

Stay Supported

• The Department of Instructional Technology provides resources, professional learning, and support to help educators explore AI creatively and responsibly.
• Lean on these supports to keep AI integration meaningful, equitable, and sustainable.

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AI Guidance for Educators

DISCUSS - EXPLORE - SET GUIDELINES

Talk About It

• Have open conversations with your kids about how AI works.
• Explain that AI doesn’t “think” or “feel” like a human but is a tool that predicts what comes next based on data.
• Honest conversations help kids feel confident using AI responsibly.

Explore Together

• Use AI tools with your child, testing different prompts and discussing the results.
• Discussion helps demystify the technology and empowers kids to think critically about the outputs while learning alongside you.

Foster Critical Thinking

• Remind your children that AI-generated information might be wrong.
• Encourage them to fact-check and verify with trusted sources.
• This builds lifelong habits of curiosity, analysis, and discernment.

Set Clear Rules

• Establish family rules for AI use, including screen time limits and what personal information is off-limits.
• Talk with your child about when AI is helpful and when assignments must only reflect their own voice.

Encourage Honesty

• If your child uses AI for schoolwork, remind them to be upfront about it.
• A simple note like “AI helped me check my grammar” models integrity and shows teachers that your child is learning responsibly.

Be Ready To Share The Process

• Teachers may ask students to explain or show how they used AI.
• Support your child by helping them keep drafts or talk through their thinking so they can confidently share their process when asked.

Prioritize Privacy

• Read the privacy policies of apps and services your family uses.
• Teach children to be cautious about what they share online, especially in AI chatbots, to keep both their personal and school information safe.

Stay Connected

• You don’t need to navigate AI alone.
• APS offers resources, workshops, and school support to help families learn more about AI and guide children in safe, effective use.
• Reach out to your child’s teacher or school for help anytime.

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Partnering with AI for Parents & Families

Spanish Version

APS AI Tools List