Navigating AI in Education: A Guide for IT Professionals
As technology continues to shape the landscape of education, IT professionals find themselves at the forefront of adoption and implementation. While teachers and administrators focus on how new tools enhance instruction and learning, IT teams grapple with a different set of responsibilities. Their task? Ensuring the safety and security of these technologies.
The Unique Challenge of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as a game-changer. It’s both fascinating and intimidating, capturing our collective imagination. The education community isn’t sitting back; we’re diving headfirst into AI, eager to explore its potential. But where do IT professionals begin?
Guiding IT Professionals: The AI Resource Guide
To address this challenge, we’ve crafted an AI Resource Guide specifically for IT teams in California schools. Here’s what it covers:
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Understanding AI: Dive into the basics of AI, demystifying its concepts and applications.
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Safety First: IT professionals must assess AI’s safety. Have Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) been signed? What are the technical requirements? How is student data stored?
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Policy Considerations: New policies may be necessary, and existing ones might need updates to accommodate AI. Contracts with app providers must also evolve as AI capabilities are integrated.
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Training and Awareness: Equip IT teams with the knowledge they need. AI isn’t just about code; it impacts the entire educational ecosystem.
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Student Data Privacy: A non-negotiable. Address privacy concerns at every turn.
The Checklist and Beyond
Our guide includes a practical checklist to navigate AI adoption step by step. Additionally, we’ve curated links to sample policies and tapped into resources from various agencies. Special thanks to the San Bernardino Superintendent of Schools and the Fagen, Friedman, and Fulfrost legal team for their invaluable contributions.