Ethical Integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools in High Schools

This presentation will highlight the development of a mini online course designed to equip high school educators and administrators with the knowledge and skills necessary to ethically integrate generative AI tools into their schools. The course was developed in response to the increasing adoption of AI in education and the growing concerns surrounding algorithmic bias, ethical considerations, and the lack of school-level AI policies (Chiu et al., 2023; Gouseti et al., 2024). Drawing from both empirical research and qualitative insights from learners, the course provides a structured approach to understanding AI’s role in education while promoting equity, transparency, and informed decision-making.

This development process involved applying a backward design approach (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005)–as well as a constructivist learning approach–to create an interactive and accessible learning experience. The course is structured into four key modules, culminating in the learners’ implementation of a schoolwide AI ethics plan. This course also employs a variety of educational tools to facilitate a Community of Practice where learners engage in collaborative learning and knowledge-sharing, fostering a collective responsibility for ethical AI integration.

In addition to describing key milestones in the course’s development process, this presentation will highlight a conceptual framework derived from research conducted to inform the content of this course. This framework aims to communicate how historical biases in K-12 education manifest in AI tools and, more importantly, how addressing these biases can ultimately transform AI tools as a force for educational equity.