Purpose
Excel Education Systems (EES), its learning systems, Learn Stage, and its schools (Excel High School, Northgate Academy, and Washington Technical Institute) have established a policy in response to the quickly changing landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential impacts on our students and online education, in general.
EES believes that while Artificial Intelligence presents a unique opportunity to better serve its students in new, exciting ways, our first consideration will always be the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies while safeguarding the rights, privacy, and educational experiences of students, teachers, and stakeholders.
The following Principles, Guidelines, and Responsibilities are based on the AI Bill of Rights released by The White House in October 2022 (https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/ai-bill-of-rights/).
Principles
Ethical Use: AI technologies will be used in a manner consistent with ethical principles, respecting the rights and dignity of all individuals within the educational community.
Transparency: Clear and understandable explanations of AI usage, its purpose, and its potential impacts will be provided to stakeholders.
Privacy Protection: Robust measures will be implemented to protect the privacy and confidentiality of student and teacher data in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Fairness and Equity: AI tools and algorithms will be developed and deployed in ways that avoid bias, discrimination, or unfair treatment among students and staff based on race, gender, ethnicity, ability, or any other protected characteristic.
Accountability and Oversight: Mechanisms for accountability, oversight, and continuous evaluation of AI systems will be established to ensure compliance with this policy and ethical standards.
Guidelines
AI System Development: AI systems employed within the online school platform will undergo rigorous development processes that prioritize safety, effectiveness, and inclusivity. They will be tested thoroughly before deployment.
Data Privacy and Security: Data collected through AI systems will be handled securely, following best practices for encryption, storage, and access control. Personal data will only be used for educational purposes and with explicit consent.
Equitable Access: AI tools will be designed to promote inclusive education, providing equitable access and support for students with diverse learning needs.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuous monitoring and evaluation of AI systems will be conducted to identify and address any potential biases, errors, or unintended consequences.
Ethical AI Education: Students, teachers, and stakeholders will be educated about AI technology, its benefits, risks, and ethical considerations to foster responsible use.
Responsibilities
Leadership: School administration will oversee the implementation of this policy and ensure adherence to ethical AI practices.
Data Governance: A dedicated team will manage data governance, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and ethical data handling practices.
Educational Integration: Teachers will be supported in integrating AI tools into the curriculum while emphasizing ethical considerations and responsible use.
Compliance and Reporting
Regular audits and assessments will be conducted to ensure compliance with this AI Policy. Transparent reporting mechanisms will be established to communicate AI-related activities, impacts, and any corrective actions taken.
Conclusion
This AI Policy aims to foster an environment of trust, responsibility, and innovation within our online school system. By adhering to these guidelines and principles, we commit to leveraging AI technologies ethically and responsibly for the betterment of education.
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The AI Bill of Rights
(A summary of the AI Bill of Rights released by The White House in October 2022)
The AI Bill of Rights aims to ensure the responsible development, fair use, and accountability of automated systems, protecting individuals' rights and safety while fostering transparency and equitable treatment.
- Safe and Effective Systems: Automated systems must be carefully and continuously tested and monitored to provide adherence to standards that ensure systems are safe, effective, and mitigate unintended consequences. It also supports the possibility of not deploying or removing systems if they pose risks.
- Algorithmic Discrimination Protections: This Right addresses biases and aims to prevent discrimination based on various protected classifications. It suggests proactive measures, equity assessments, testing, and transparency in reporting to confirm protections against algorithmic discrimination.
- Data Privacy: Automated systems must protect individuals' data rights, it advocates for default privacy protections, user agency over data usage, and simplified, meaningful consent mechanisms. It calls for enhanced safeguards, especially in sensitive domains, and heightened oversight on surveillance technologies.
- Notice and Explanation: Individuals should be informed when automated systems impact them and should understand the system's role. Automated systems should provide clear, accessible explanations for outcomes and system functioning.
- Human Alternatives, Consideration, and Fallback: Automated systems should provide options for opting out or accessing human alternatives where necessary. It emphasizes timely human consideration and remedy processes if automated systems fail or impact individuals adversely, especially in sensitive domains.