How to Talk to Students About AI
Some are banning it, others embracing it—but every teacher should consider starting a classroom conversation about generative AI.
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Go to My Saved Content.As educators around the country grapple with the classroom implications of easily-accessible large-language models of generative AI, one thing is clear—it’s critical to talk to students about it, both to assess their usage and understanding, and to set clear boundaries.
Teachers can get started by scoping out what students know early in the year. One quick way to level-set is to offer provocative AI-related writing or discussion prompts. For younger students, something as simple as “What is AI?” can yield a quick scan of their prior knowledge. For older ones, a more complex question like “What worries you about AI in education?” can help teachers understand the landscape of how their students are thinking about AI.
It can also be useful to guide students through an understanding of the promises—and pitfalls—of AI use. Giving examples of AI fails, like the Chicago Sun-Times summer reading list, can remind students to be skeptical. But it’s also valuable to share the ways in which AI can be most useful—like when it functions as a tutor by asking probing questions of students instead of providing quick answers.
For teachers who have decided to allow AI use, a framework like the stoplight system, shared by Pennsylvania administrator Samuel Mormondo, can be useful to set parameters and keep teachers and students on the same page.
To see the research cited in this video, read the January 2025 AI in Education Survey from Twinkl, or check out the report from the Center for Democracy & Technology, “Out of Step: Students, Teachers in Stride with EdTech Threats While Parents Are Left Behind,” by Elizabeth Laird, Maddy Dwyer, and Kristin Woelfel.
For more resources on managing AI in the classroom, start with Rachelle Dené Poth’s article for Edutopia, “Tips for Using AI—and for Talking to Students About It.” For troubleshooting suggestions, look up “Proactively Limiting the Use of AI in the Classroom” or “When Students Use AI in Ways They Shouldn’t,” by Jen Roberts. And Paige Tutt’s piece, “5 Essential Tech Talks to Have With Students,” takes a broader view and is a great source for all kinds of technology tips.