2. Who’s Listening? AI and Student Privacy

 As AI tools become more common in education, one question keeps coming up and for good reason:

“Is this safe for students?”

It’s a fair concern. We value student privacy, and we should. But just like with any other technology, privacy and AI are not mutually exclusive. With the right approach, we can use AI while protecting student data.

So, What Should We Watch For?

Here are the real risks to pay attention to:

• Personally identifiable information being entered into public tools

• Student work being used to train AI without consent

• Unvetted tools with unclear data practices

• Behavioral tracking in platforms without transparency

None of these mean AI has to be off-limits... they mean we need thoughtful boundaries.

If Students Can’t Use AI Yet… That’s Okay

Some schools or districts haven’t opened AI to students. That doesn’t mean they’re behind, it means they’re being careful.

If that’s your district:

• Use teacher-facing AI tools to streamline your own work

• Talk with colleagues about safe, meaningful student use

• Get involved in shaping your district’s AI policy

• Pilot ideas and share what works

This moment isn’t a stop sign, it’s an invitation to lead.

How to Model Responsible Use

Even with guardrails, you can still bring AI into your classroom by:

• Avoiding names or IDs in AI inputs

• Teaching students to ask abstract, task-based questions

• Reflecting on how AI supported learning (not just the final product)

• Staying transparent with families about how AI is used

Bottom Line

Privacy matters and so does preparing students for a world where AI is everywhere.

We don’t have to choose between safety and innovation. We just have to choose to lead with intention.

If AI access isn’t open yet, use this time to help shape what thoughtful, ethical, student-centered AI use could look like in your district.

Don't be a problem stater, be a problem solver.  Help design the solution with the other great minds walking around your district.