RALEIGH — On Jan. 16, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) released a guidebook on the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) for the state’s public schools.
“Generative artificial intelligence is playing a growing and significant role in our society. At NCDPI, we’re committed to preparing our students both to meet the challenges of this rapidly changing technology and become innovators in the field of computer science,” State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said in a press release. “We also believe that, when implemented thoughtfully and responsibly, generative AI has the power to revolutionize student learning and better prepare North Carolina’s students for the jobs of tomorrow.”
The release of the guidebook makes NCDPI the fourth state education department in the country to provide instruction on the implementation of AI in schools.
The guidebook provides initial recommendations for the use of AI in schools, with plans for future expansion and encourages districts to develop specific guidelines for their schools.
The guidebook emphasizes the infusion of AI literacy across all grade levels and curriculum areas, promoting responsible incorporation of AI as a learning tool. Teachers can use AI for administrative tasks, data analysis, and personalized teaching methods, potentially improving learning outcomes.
Additionally, the guidebook also addresses concerns like cheating and student data protection.
NCDPI collaborated with AI for Education to create the “EVERY” framework, offering ethical guidance for implementing AI in North Carolina public schools.
“EVERY” is an acronym representing the following criteria:
- EVALUATE the initial output to see if it meets the intended purpose and your needs.
- VERIFY facts, figures, quotes, and data using reliable sources to ensure there are no hallucinations or bias.
- EDIT your prompt and ask follow up questions to have the AI improve its output.
- REVISE the results to reflect your unique needs, style, and/or tone. AI output is a great starting point, but shouldn’t be a final product.
- YOU are ultimately responsible for everything you create with AI. Always be transparent about if and how you used AI.
“Familiarizing students with using AI is key for preparing them for the workforce. The World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs Report 2023” found that AI and machine learning specialists will be the fastest-growing occupation in the next five years, with a 40% growth trajectory and the creation of one million new jobs,” NCDPI’s press release says. “Furthermore, the report found that 75% of companies plan to implement generative AI by 2027.”
The guidebook can be accessed at: https://go.ncdpi.gov/AI_Guidelines
