‘Wild West’: Teachers, experts call for unified policies to address AI in classrooms

Teachers and AI experts urge unified policies to guide artificial intelligence in classrooms amidst rapid development and Ottawa's push for accessible technology. Educators find themselves grappling with how to incorporate AI while fostering critical thinking and intellectual honesty, with mixed results in schools' efforts. Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers' Association, likens the current state of AI in education to the "Wild West," citing a lack of consistent policy at the jurisdictional level.

Michelle Carlos of the Pembina Trails School Division in Winnipeg developed AI guidelines for the division after waiting for government guidance. The division encourages teachers to use AI as a "thought partner" rather than a "work doer" for assignments, recognizing that students may already use AI outside of school. Manitoba's education minister, Tracy Schmidt, says her department is developing guiding principles on AI to help schools make ethical and safe decisions.

A Fraser Institute survey of Canadian teachers found that only 49% of respondents reported receiving training on using AI for lessons and in-class material, while 63% said they had received no training on instructing students to use AI responsibly. British Columbia's West Vancouver School District is also developing guidelines to teach students about the learning process and how AI can function as a "thinking partner."

The B.C. government is exploring the creation of an advisory committee to investigate AI integration in schools. Alberta's government is partnering with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute to develop a framework for responsible AI use in schools. Educators and experts emphasize that any policy should consider the perspectives of parents, community groups, and other stakeholders, ensuring reliable education for the next generation.