How Metro Detroit Schools are approaching AI use in classrooms

Washtenau County, Michigan. – As we are increasingly pondering how we use artificial intelligence (AI) in our work and in our daily lives, schools are trying to find ways to safely use it and teach it.

Ypsilanti High School embraces artificial intelligence as a useful tool, not a threat to education. Both school leaders and students are learning how AI can enhance learning without replacing essential human skills.

“It gives us an edge and we should accept it because it's not going anywhere,” said Dr. Chelsea Harris Heughan, principal at Ypsilanti High School.

Dr. Harris Heugan focuses on balancing AI's strengths with unique human qualities. “AI is good at speed, efficiency and predictability, but there are a few things that only humans can do,” she said. “Man can only do curiosity, so we must teach students how to be curious. We must teach students how to be considerate, empathetic, courageous and resilient. That's what our focus is in the classroom.”

Ypsilanti High students are already working with AI in creative ways. Senior Jameel Pratt used AI to develop a business proposal for the truck recovery program. “I made a business proposal about trucks. It was like a truck recovery program. Online websites get personalized plans to recover in trucks and other sports,” Jameel explained.

Pratt said the AI helped bring his ideas back to life. “It helped me put it together. What I wanted to provide was it, and it helped me put it together in a cohesive way.”

Another senior, Michael Martinez, emphasized that serious students are not only using AI to do their homework, but also working. “Of course you can't write a paper using it, but that's obvious, but you can't use it as a tool like opening hours and as a teacher. ChatGpt is a great resource,” he said.

When asked if AI would replace learning, Martinez said, “How you use it, yes. If you use it as a tool and go back and forth with your teacher, I think it's an important asset.”

Local 4 also spoke to district supervisors and said that if the school prepares students to enter the workforce, it must be part of the curriculum to utilize all the tools available.