On Friday, I attended a professional development workshop focused on AI literacy, led by Cari Wilson. The session helped break down how artificial intelligence actually works in a way that felt clear and approachable for educators. One part that really stood out was how she explained AI as a system that predicts responses based on patterns and probability rather than understanding or ā€œthinkingā€ the way humans do. She shared a classroom-friendly example that shows how AI predicts the most likely next word based on data it has seen before, which helps students understand that AI responses are based on likelihood, not certainty. This was a helpful reminder that while AI can sound confident and accurate, it can still be wrong.

Another important focus of the workshop was the responsibility educators have when using AI with students. We talked about age restrictions in AI programsā€™ terms of use and why itā€™s important to be aware of them before bringing AI tools into the classroom. Cari also emphasized the need for school and district guidelines around AI use, especially when it comes to privacy, safety, and academic integrity. These conversations highlighted that AI is not just a teaching tool, but something that requires thoughtful decision-making.

The workshop also raised interesting questions around ownership and intellectual property. We discussed how it is still unclear who owns AI-generated content, especially in educational settings. This made me reflect on my own practice and how I sometimes use AI to support lesson planning, such as generating examples or discussion prompts. While AI can be a helpful support, it is still unclear where the line is drawn between teacher-created work and AI-generated material, particularly if that content were to be shared or sold. This uncertainty reinforced how quickly AI is evolving and how policy and education are still trying to catch up.

Overall, this workshop made it clear that AI literacy is becoming increasingly important. Some countries are already embedding AI education into their curriculum, while in BC this work is still emerging. Cari shared a few helpful resources that support both teachers and students in learning about AI in an age-appropriate and responsible way, which I think could be valuable as we continue to navigate how AI fits into education.

Resources shared: