CHICAGO (WLS) — Illinois education officials released guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in public schools, providing educators with information and examples as school districts consider whether and how to incorporate artificial intelligence into their classrooms.
This guidance was developed by a committee commissioned by the Illinois General Assembly and is intended for the state’s public schools. Decisions on whether to use AI will be made individually for each of Illinois’ 851 school districts, said Dr. Tony Sanders, state superintendent of the Illinois State Board of Education.
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“If we’re going to use AI, let’s use it in ways that actually benefit students and teachers,” Sanders said.
This guidance document is approximately 400 pages long and provides educators with information about AI and examples of how to use the technology.
“I think there are lessons that can be incorporated into artificial intelligence,” Sanders said. “I think teachers are already showing examples of how they are using AI in their lesson plans, but they need to guide their students like they would any other technology.”
The release of this guidance comes as the state of Illinois and educational institutions continue to grapple with the role of AI. Last week, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed into law the Artificial Intelligence Safeguards Act, which strengthens transparency and accountability requirements for the largest artificial intelligence models.
Meanwhile, the University of Chicago announced that it will no longer allow first-year law students to use technology in the classroom because it wants to maintain a rigorous legal education in the age of AI.
For Illinois public schools, Sanders said AI should be seen as a tool, not a replacement for educators.
“AI should be used with the understanding that it should not replace humans. AI is a tool to be used in the classroom, but it will never replace the classroom,” Sanders said.
The state’s superintendents are scheduled to participate in a webinar on AI next month. Once the school year begins, school districts will be asked to nominate individuals to an ongoing committee that will update and revise the state’s AI guidance.
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