TORRINGTON, Conn. (WFSB) - Torrington schools are working to develop a policy on artificial intelligence as students and teachers navigate how to use the technology in the classroom.
The district does not have a formal policy on AI, even as many colleges and universities have already established guidelines.
Edward Corey, co-chair of the Torrington Board of Education, said the district is trying to figure out the best approach.
“It’s sort of the Wild West right now for us,” Corey said. “Some students are using AI religiously, others not at all. Teachers want to know what’s acceptable and what isn’t.”
School officials say they’ve seen students using AI to do their assignments and trusting whatever AI says as fact. Some teachers have tried using it to edit emails to parents.
Paula Adams has three kids, including a junior at Torrington High School. She hasn’t talked much with them about artificial intelligence but realizes it has potential to help or hurt their education.
“Our kids are in school to learn. Having AI create things for them, do things for them, then we’re taking away that learning,” Adams said.
Adams said she understands AI is here to stay and can be helpful, but students need to learn on their own.
“I do understand and believe AI is here to stay and it can be very helpful for us, but our children need to be able to learn, use their brain, become creative, think for themselves,” she said.
Superintendent Michael Wilson is open-minded about finding the best way to teach kids in the era of AI.
“There are companies out there that do AI for schools, so it’s very different from a traditional AI engine. So, is that a direction we’re going to go in? Or is the direction we’re not going to use it at all? We promote integrity,” Wilson said.
Wilson said some uses of AI would be unacceptable.
“To have AI do a paper? Unacceptable. To have AI grade a paper? Unacceptable,” he said.
An ad hoc committee is gathering input from teachers and administrators about the best path forward for Torrington.
Adams said she wants to be part of the conversation.
“I would love to have the opportunity to have a conversation and be involved in it,” she said.
Over the next month or two, the board of education expects to start bringing parents into the conversation as they try to craft a policy ahead of the next school year.
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