AI Literacy in Education

November 7th 2025

This morning, we hosted the first in a three-part parent workshop series exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy in Education. The sessions, one held in person and another online, provided an opportunity for families to deepen their understanding of how AI is shaping education and the world around us.

Exploring What AI Really Is

Parents began by reflecting on what AI means to them, sharing words, facts, and ideas before collaborating in small groups to write their own definitions of Artificial Intelligence. The variety of responses highlighted how complex and wide-ranging AI can be. Chris then shared a definition from UNESCO, noting that there are many valid ways to describe AI depending on its context and use.

Introducing the AI in Education Team

Chris introduced ISU’s AI in Education (AIEd) Team, a group of seven faculty members from across the school who are leading ISU’s strategic approach to AI integration.

Recognising that AI is an emerging and often challenging field in education, the AIEd Team has been working towards developing a school-wide philosophy on AI. As part of this commitment, ISU earned the Middle States Association AI Endorsement in June 2025, one of the first schools globally to do so.

The team’s ongoing work includes contributing to ISU’s upcoming CIS and MSA school accreditations, focusing on five core objectives:

Student AI Literacy
Professional Development
Policies and Procedures
Systems and Infrastructure
Shared Understanding

Parent Perspectives on AI Literacy

Using Mentimeter, parents shared their views on students’ use and understanding of AI:

How often do students use AI tools? Responses ranged from never to daily, with most parents placing their children in the mid-range.
How important is AI literacy? Nearly all parents rated it as very important.
Should schools play a role in teaching AI? All parents agreed that schools should play a major role.

Together, we explored why AI literacy is essential, not only to prepare students for future careers but also to help them navigate ethical, safety, and bias-related challenges in a world increasingly shaped by technology. Quotes from the World Economic Forum, UNESCO, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) reinforced the global consensus on the importance of AI literacy, even amidst differing opinions about AI itself.

Discussing AI in the Classroom

Parents were then presented with a series of classroom scenarios illustrating how AI might be used in different learning contexts. Working in table groups and breakout rooms, participants discussed potential benefits, risks, and ethical considerations.

The discussions were lively and thought-provoking, raising questions such as:

How do we balance AI use with critical thinking and creativity?
Could heavy AI reliance lead to “mental atrophy” or more shallow learning?
How can AI free up time for deeper, more human-centered work?

A key takeaway was the idea that AI use in education should always be a dual approach, encouraging students to use AI tools while also critically examining their limitations, risks, and implications.

Supporting Teacher and Student AI Literacy

Teachers, too, are learning alongside students. To build their understanding and confidence with AI, ISU is providing multiple professional learning opportunities:

Whole-school professional development sessions
Departmental workshops
Targeted “choice” training sessions
External professional development such as online courses, conferences, and webinars

For students, AI literacy development looks different across the school:

In the Junior School, it is embedded within Digital Citizenship lessons.
In the Senior School, it is woven through the curriculum and enhanced through the Advisory programme.

To guide safe and ethical use, ISU has also created an AI Faculty Handbook and an AI Student Handbook, the latter of which is linked to the Student Responsible Use Agreement.

Parent Q&A Highlights

Parents raised insightful questions, including:

How is AI used to support diverse learning needs?
Examples include adaptive MAP testing and AI-powered screeners in Learning Support to identify skill gaps and guide targeted teaching.
Can students use AI tools like note generators or quiz makers during class?
This remains context-specific and will be explored further in upcoming sessions.
Is ISU preparing students to use AI productively and responsibly in future careers?
While it depends on the context, our approach focuses on helping students view AI as a supportive tool for learning and productivity, grounded in ethical and thoughtful use.

For the online recording of this session, please click here.

Looking Ahead

The next parent session, “AI Safety in Education,” will take place on Friday, 21 November. This forum will explore how we can keep children safe as AI becomes more integrated into learning tools and platforms, addressing issues such as data privacy, online behaviour, and the responsible use of AI both in and beyond the classroom.