How far should schools really trust artificial intelligence? That’s the question sparking debate in Wake County, as school board members wrestle with when — and when not — to let AI into the decision-making process. The discussion is getting heated, and opinions are far from unanimous. But here's where it gets controversial: some educators see AI as a powerful tool for efficiency, while others view it as a potential threat to student privacy and fairness.
During a recent work session, district officials met with representatives from Amazon Web Services to explore how AI could help the district make sense of the massive amounts of student data it collects. The vision was enticing — imagine software that can sort through academic records, identify trends, and support teachers in understanding what students need most. Yet, the school board’s response was cautious.
Board members agreed that using AI to supplement routine tasks — like providing basic information about special education services or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) — might relieve overworked staff. Superintendent Robert Taylor pointed out that an AI tool could gather critical student data ahead of IEP meetings, helping educators come prepared. However, he emphasized that humans must always make the final call, saying it’s still the “team’s responsibility” to interpret the data and decide what’s best for students.
But this is the part most people miss: the board drew a sharp line when it came to letting AI go beyond data support. Chairman Chris Heagarty warned that using AI to guide parents in highly regulated areas like special education could be risky — one small error, such as misreading a policy or mixing up a deadline, could cause major problems. “I wouldn’t trust that to a machine,” he cautioned. Vice Chairman Tyler Swanson echoed the sentiment, noting that improper use of AI in special education could land the district in legal trouble.
Amazon’s presentation was the second in a three-part series showing how AI might streamline school operations. The tech giant pitched a vision of modernized data systems that could help educators access information securely and efficiently. However, board members felt unclear about how this would connect to their primary task: writing a policy that clearly defines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in schools. Amazon and district leaders even suggested that some existing policies might need revisions to make room for new tech-driven solutions.
At present, the Wake County Public School System encourages teachers and students to experiment with AI, but lacks detailed guidelines. Currently, it allows the use of Google’s Gemini — which has a data privacy agreement in place — while restricting access to ChatGPT due to privacy concerns. The new AI policy under discussion aims to clarify these boundaries, ensuring both innovation and accountability.
Across North Carolina, many other districts have already introduced AI policies based on shared templates. These typically promote AI literacy, requiring students to understand how to use and critically evaluate AI tools. They also mandate AI training for educators and outline ethical standards — though many stop short of defining what that training or literacy actually entails. One common rule across the board: passing off AI-generated work as your own counts as plagiarism.
So where should the line be drawn? Should AI be trusted to assist — but never decide — in sensitive areas like special education? Or are we overestimating the dangers of a tool that could help schools run more efficiently? The debate is wide open. What do you think — should schools cautiously embrace AI, or keep it at arm’s length for now?
