California Department of Education’s AI Webinar Series: Learning With AI, Learning About AI

Considering Data Privacy and Terms of Use in AI: Key Takeaways for Educators

In a recent AI Learning Series Webinar by the California Department of Education (CDE) in collaboration with STEAM in AI, experts and educators discussed essential strategies for responsibly integrating AI in educational environments. This session offered guidance on how to navigate data privacy, ensure student safety, and leverage AI tools effectively.

1. Importance of Data Privacy and AI Safety

Katherine Goyette, the Computer Science Coordinator at CDE, and Dr. Christina Mattis, the EdTech and Digital Equity Coordinator, opened the webinar with an emphasis on AI’s potential in education. They highlighted the importance of safe and informed use of AI tools, especially around student data privacy. The aim? To foster a culture of responsible and critical AI engagement, ensuring students understand the significance of verifying AI-generated content and maintaining a critical lens.

2. Microsoft Co-Pilot: A Secure Approach to Generative AI

Microsoft’s Kuram Tasco provided insights into Microsoft Co-Pilot, a suite of generative AI tools embedded within Microsoft 365. Built with security at the forefront, Co-Pilot ensures that user data remains confidential and isn’t used to train AI models. Tasco emphasized that, unlike some public AI tools, Microsoft Co-Pilot retains no prompts or responses from users, making it a safer choice for educational settings.

3. Common Sense Education: Resources for AI Literacy

Jamie Nunes from Common Sense Education shared how AI literacy should be a foundational part of students’ education. He discussed the resources that help teachers understand and address AI privacy concerns, aligning policies with the trends in student AI usage. The Common Sense AI Foundation Course was introduced as a valuable resource for educators to improve AI literacy and ethical use in the classroom.

4. District Spotlight: Practical AI Integration

Mike Lawrence from ABC Unified School District shared his district’s proactive approach to AI integration. Their “HI + AI” philosophy (Human Intelligence + Artificial Intelligence) emphasizes the irreplaceable value of human touch in education, with AI serving as a supportive tool rather than a replacement. To support this, they implemented an AI-specific addendum to their Responsible Use Policy, focusing on six key behaviors: respect, integrity, attribution, privacy, critical thinking, and transparency.

5. Key Resources and Practical Guidelines

Each speaker emphasized the need for regular policy updates, community feedback, and open discussions on AI’s role in schools. Some key takeaways include:

• Involving All Stakeholders: Students, educators, parents, and classified staff should be part of AI discussions.

• Adopting AI Literacy Resources: Common Sense and other platforms offer foundational AI education resources.

• Implementing Usage Policies: Clear policies, such as ABC Unified’s Responsible Use addendum, guide safe and ethical AI engagement.

Conclusion

Educators face both exciting opportunities and responsibilities as AI becomes more prevalent in schools. This webinar underscored the importance of maintaining a balance between AI’s benefits and the critical need for data privacy and safety protocols. By adopting these practices, educators can foster a learning environment that is both innovative and secure.

Interested in AI in education? Keep an eye on CDE’s upcoming sessions to stay updated on safe AI practices for schools.

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