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Chancellor Kamar Samuels of New York City schools has assured that a city policy addressing the use of artificial intelligence in schools will be released soon.
In the meantime, many educators have begun utilizing a variety of AI tools in their classrooms, and numerous students are increasingly relying on the technology to assist with their academic tasks.
Chalkbeat is interested in hearing about how AI is being implemented in your school and what insights you would like to share with the chancellor, including both positive and negative aspects. Parents have expressed concerns about safety measures, fearing that the technology might increase bullying, undermine critical thinking skills, and threaten student privacy.
A recent survey by RAND, published Tuesday, indicated that 67% of participating students (over 1,200 individuals aged 12-29) believe that using AI for schoolwork negatively impacts critical thinking, up from 54% earlier this year. About 71% reported using at least one AI tool for school-related tasks, such as writing assistance, brainstorming, and research, with most students noting that their schools lack formal guidelines for AI usage in homework.
“As educators, some of us recognize the potential of AI to enhance learning,” stated Samuels during a recent town hall in Manhattan’s District 2. However, he emphasized that the city’s guidance must be issued responsibly and involve community input.
Miatheresa Pate, the city’s chief academic officer, characterized the upcoming AI guidance as a “traffic-light approach,” aimed at clarifying what is permitted and what is strictly off-limits, along with opportunities to “conduct case studies highlighting successful implementations that support students in need.”
After the guidance is released, the city intends to provide a 45-day period for feedback from families, educators, and school administrators.
We invite you to help us gain insights into the current landscape of AI in schools and share what you would like the city to consider by participating in our survey.
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