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Artificial Intelligence FAQs

Artificial Intelligence (AI) FAQs

What is generative AI and how can it be used?

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can produce various types of content, including text, images, and audio. ChatGPT, Gemini, and CoPilot are examples of generative AI that creates content based on receiving a prompt from someone using the program. For more information, read this article Explained: Generative AI from MIT.

How does building AI literacy skills and providing equitable access to AI tools for educational purposes advance SPS’s broader mission and strategic goals?

Building AI literacy skills and ensuring equitable access to AI tools directly supports SPS’s mission to prepare all students for success in a rapidly evolving world. Clear guidance on ethical, safe, and effective AI use empowers educators and students to integrate these technologies purposefully and responsibly.  

As AI becomes embedded in classrooms, workplaces, and everyday life, it is vital to help students develop critical 21st‑century skills such as digital literacy, critical thinking, and ethical decision‑making, so they can evaluate information and make informed choices. Even for those who choose not to use AI actively, understanding its capabilities and limitations is essential for navigating an AI‑rich society with confidence.  

The ability to thoughtfully utilize AI as a professional tool is increasingly tied to future success and jobs.  Equitable access to AI literacy and AI tools ensures that every student, particularly those furthest from educational justice, can benefit from these opportunities. By closing access and knowledge gaps, SPS equips graduates for college, career, and beyond. 

How has SPS provided professional learning for educators to understand AI literacy and thoughtfully integrate AI into their classrooms?

SPS offers professional development sessions for staff along with curated resources and recommended AI tools. We have guidelines for AI use for staff. These include recommendations to support the ethical use of AI, sample student handbook language, and sample syllabus language. We have also curated AI literacy lessons for staff to deliver to their students.  

In addition, we had a yearlong pilot cohort of schools (5 high schools and 2 middle schools) in 2024-25 to explore how AI can be thoughtfully and purposefully used by staff and students to support teaching and learning. This allowed us to develop resources and professional development sessions that supported the identified needs of educators and students. 

How is SPS supporting students to use AI productively, safely, and ethically? 

SPS has carefully selected age-appropriate AI tools that students can safely access using their SPS accounts. These tools are education-focused and protect student data privacy with built-in guardrails to ensure that students are engaging in appropriate and educational ways.  

In addition, to prepare our students to be future-ready and use AI tools critically and effectively, the Digital Learning team has assembled a collection of AI literacy resources from CommonSense Media, Code.org, PBS Learning Media, ISTE, aiEDU, Seesaw, and MagicSchool AI. The purpose of these resources and lessons is to equip students in SPS with the following essential AI literacy skills:

  • Understand our roles as both producers and consumers of AI technology.  
  • Recognize the impact of AI for today and in the future.  
  • Prepare for success in an increasingly tech-driven world. 

Sample lesson plans and presentations by grade band:

What are the SPS policies around plagiarism and misuse of AI by students? 

SPS has guidelines around academic dishonesty and plagiarism. The misuse of AI falls under those guidelines, as outlined in the SPS’s Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. Unauthorized use of AI or usage without proper citation is considered a breach of this policy, leading to potential disciplinary action.  

Superintendent Procedure 2022SP – Electronic Resources/Use of the Internet contains guidance on AI. The SPS AI Handbook (mentioned in the SP) is a guide focusing on the benefits of AI in education, community support, equitable access, ethical use, and guidelines for responsible AI practices and student privacy protection. 

Schools should include clear guidance on acceptable AI use in student handbooks. Educators should explain appropriate AI use for their courses and for individual assignments, and (when relevant) teach students how to cite AI usage properly. 

What research and resources did SPS reference when identifying AI guidelines and policies? 

As artificial intelligence technology and its use rapidly grows and changes, SPS has leaned into identifying best practices for staff and student use of AI and creating resources to support this. We reached out to other public school districts in WA and beyond to share our thinking and learn from their work. We worked with OSPI resources, as well as learning from the work done by universities and scholars. Some of the more influential resources are here:

What resources does SPS have for families?

SPS has resources and information for parents and families to support their students in a world with easily accessible AI.  Educators planning to have students use AI in their classroom should share information about this with families via Schoology, Seesaw, Talking Points, class newsletter, or by sending information home with students.

Resources for families to learn about AI: