As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into education, teachers and students alike are navigating both its potential and its challenges. From concerns over academic integrity, data collection protections, and other efforts to ensuring responsible use, AI is reshaping the classroom experience.

“We became teachers not because we love creating worksheets," says Dylan Bartlett, a 10th and 11th grade English teacher in the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District. "We became teachers to create the next generation of leaders, of doctors, of creators, of artists.”

Bartlett says AI is helping students take ownership of their learning and understand their own thinking.

“What this shows me as a teacher is that the student actually knows what they’re doing," says Bartlett. "So many times, we ask students to do something and we forget that they may not even understand step one.”

With AI tools, teachers can quickly assess where students need help and provide targeted support.

“This [AI tool] shows me their entire thought process for 24 students in a classroom versus one teacher," says Bartlett. "So I’m able to spread myself and work with the students who truly need my help, versus the students who just need minimal support.”

AI is also helping students refine their work, offering guidance beyond what a teacher alone can provide.

“Rather than asking me, ‘Hey, does this sound good?’ " says Bartlett. "They can go into a resource that we already have, like that feedback, and say, ‘How can I improve this to a higher standard?’”

Bartlett believes AI is a tool that enhances, not replaces, teaching.

"I can jot down my very brief and quick notes and send them into a generative AI system," adds Bartlett. "They can expand on that and give them multiple points of feedback to improve their writing, and also just to encourage the students to not give up.”

With AI becoming more integrated into education, teachers like Bartlett see it as a way to better support students and prepare them for the future.

As AI continues to play a growing role in education, experts emphasize the need for clear guidelines and responsible use to maximize its benefits while minimizing risks.

NYSED provides comprehensive laws and regulations related to instructional technology, covering aspects such as funding, internet safety, student data privacy, and online learning. While these regulations do not explicitly mention AI, they offer foundational guidance on the responsible use of technology in educational settings. 

Local districts are also rolling out their own AI policies for teachers.