Artificial Intelligence in California: Learning with AI, Learning about AI

This document provides guidance for California educators on integrating Artificial Intelligence into K-12 education, focusing on ethical use, safety, and preparing students for an AI-driven future.

Artificial Intelligence: California Department of Learning with AI, Education Learning about AI September 2023 Artificial Intelligence in California Learning with AI, Learning about AI September 2023 Introduction Please note: This document is meant to provide helpful guidance to our partners in education and is, in no way, required to be followed. The document is intended to be informative rather than prescriptive. The information is merely exemplary, and compliance with any information or guidance in this document is not mandatory. (See Educ. Code § 33308.5.) Emerging technologies often lead to new and exciting learning opportunities for students, particularly in increasing personalization and accessibility options. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a valuable learning tool for educators and students, it must be evaluated according to usage terms, and clear guidelines for data collection should prioritize student safety. The California Department of Education (CDE) considers human relationships crucial in education, particularly when incorporating generative AI tools such as ChatGPT into schools. This is particularly vital in light of school closures that occurred in the recent past due to the COVID19 pandemic and other natural disasters, that left many educators and students physically isolated. AI or any other technology cannot replace the value of a student’s relationship with a caring educator who can connect on a human level. Artificial Intelligence: California Department of Learning with AI, Education Learning about AI September 2023 In accordance with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond’s professional learning initiative, CDE is committed to supporting AI-focused professional learning for administrators and educators, to educate them about AI's benefits and limitations. The Professional Learning Initiative can keep educators up-to-date on emerging technology tools for the classroom. CDE’s Computer Science Coordinator has participated in numerous AI panels across the state and has led CDE’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) workgroup in introducing AI to CDE. The department hosted an AI panel discussion in May of 2023 entitled “Artificial Intelligence: Demystifying AI for CA Students,” and the Computer Science (CS) Coordinator regularly collaborates with members of the Computer Science Teachers Association and CSforCA AI workgroup to remain current on educational trends in the field of AI and other emerging technologies in respect to their impacts on education. CDE is preparing additional resources to support educators, including the implementation of an AI webinar series “Artificial Intelligence: Learning with AI, Learning about AI,” which features educators from K12 and postsecondary spaces, as well as industry professionals, complete with actionable resources for schools with a learner centered focus. CDE is participating along with multiple organizations including Code.org, Educational Testing Services, International Society for Technology in Education, Khan Academy, and World Economic Forum, in the TeachAI project (teachai.org), to engage in conversations with a goal of empowering educators to teach with and about AI. CDE encourages educators to approach AI with a lens of equity. As educators and students learn about potential inaccuracies, bias, and social impacts of AI, they build capacity to promote ethical use of technology. The department supports educators who adapt their teaching methods to incorporate emerging technologies effectively in line with student needs. Resources Information and resources related to AI in education are available on the California Educators Together Statewide AI group at https://www.caeducatorstogether.org/q/group/JM45qd3n. Artificial Intelligence: California Department of Learning with AI, Education Learning about AI September 2023 Where is AI in the world of today and tomorrow? AI is an integral part of our daily lives, from virtual assistants to recommendation algorithms that determine the content on social media feeds. At its core, artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, making decisions, and learning from data. AI systems start by ingesting vast amounts of data. This data can be in various forms, such as text, images, or numbers. For instance, in a language translation application, the input could be a sentence in one language. Once the data is inputted, AI systems employ algorithms to process and analyze it. Algorithms are akin to sets of instructions that guide the AI in making sense of the data. These instructions can involve complex mathematical operations, data transformations, and statistical modeling. After processing the data, the AI system generates an output, which could be a translation of the input sentence into another language in the case of the language translation example. AI systems often have a learning component, improving their performance over time by learning from new data, a process known as machine learning. In this age of AI, it is essential that both educators and students demystify this technology and grasp how it produces output. A conceptual knowledge of the benefits and potential risks of computing technologies is increasingly relevant for our students and educators alike. A growing knowledge about AI improves safety and efficiency when utilizing AI systems and supports understanding of potential inaccuracies and biases that may exist in their outputs. While we cannot predict the future, it appears certain that technology will continue to influence our personal and professional lives. A report by the World Economic Forum in 2023 indicates that 1.1 billion jobs are likely to be radically transformed within the next decade. Skills the workplace of the future will call for include artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud computing, product management, and social media. According to the 2023 AI Index report by the Stanford Institute for Human Centered Artificial Intelligence, demand for AI related professionals is increasing in nearly every sector of the economy. As such, AI literacy is foundational for a well-rounded education to prepare students for today and tomorrow. California’s fundamental AI skills (addressed further in this document) for educators and students address both learning with and about AI, to promote efficient and ethical use of these emerging technologies in and outside of the classroom. Artificial Intelligence: California Department of Learning with AI, Education Learning about AI September 2023 Where might AI fit within California schools? As is the case with all technologies utilized in educational settings, student safety concerns underscore the importance of evaluating terms of use, data collection guidelines, and ethical use policies. Educators are encouraged to engage in professional learning regarding the capabilities and limitations of AI so that they may guide students in navigating a world in which AI permeates personal and professional lives. Professional learning can guide educators to supporting safe environments in which students learn with AI. Learning with AI can enhance academic learning in any content area, when implemented with safety and ethical use in mind. Educators and students learning with AI may have conversations regarding appropriate use of AI in and outside of the classroom, crafting ethical use guidelines together to ensure students build skills in leveraging the benefits of AI while maintaining academic integrity and maximizing learner responsibility. Educational leaders are encouraged to provide access to computer science education for all K-12 students so that students learn about AI equitably. As educators and students demystify AI systems, as they see past the perceived “magic” of these technologies and decons