Key Points:
- AI supports learning, not replaces humans.
- Cite AI, train, and avoid sensitive data.
- AI content is public, reviewed by the community.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Board of Education is considering a new AI policy in schools that outlines how students and staff should responsibly use artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms and daily school operations.
Policy Highlights
The AI policy in schools was formally introduced at Thursday evening’s board meeting. It emphasizes that AI should support teaching and learning but not replace essential human qualities such as creativity, interaction, and decision-making.
Board member Dee Rankin, chair of the policy committee, explained the purpose: “While AI may enhance future educational outcomes, streamline administrative processes, and provide valuable tools for our students and staff, AI cannot be used to replace human interaction, creativity, or decision making.”
The proposal also requires that all AI-powered tools and applications be reviewed and approved by a dedicated AI Review Committee before they are implemented in classrooms or administrative settings.
Expectation for Students and Staff
The AI policy in schools states that both students and staff will need to cite or acknowledge when AI has been used in their work. This measure ensures academic integrity and encourages the technology to be used as a tool for critical thinking rather than as a shortcut for assignments or problem-solving.
Training will also be a required component. CMS would provide instruction on how to properly and effectively use approved AI systems, ensuring that students and staff are familiar with both the benefits and limitations of the technology.
Staff are specifically prohibited from entering confidential or sensitive information into AI programs. In addition, the district will monitor AI tools for bias and accuracy, promoting fairness in how the technology is applied across classrooms.
Transparency and Public Access
An important aspect of the AI policy in schools is transparency. All AI-generated materials, including the prompts used to create them, would be considered public records under North Carolina law. This means that such content could be requested and accessed by the public, aligning with existing rules about educational records and documents.
This requirement underscores the district’s effort to maintain accountability while integrating new technologies into the education system.
Broader AI Initiatives at CMS
This policy is not CMS’s first step into AI. Ahead of the current school year, the district introduced a new AI strategy that designated dozens of “AI Champion” schools. These schools are piloting AI-related initiatives to explore how the technology can be responsibly applied to improve instruction and support teachers.
The board has been studying the role of AI in education since last year. The new policy represents an effort to create a structured framework that balances innovation with responsibility.
Next Steps
The proposed AI policy in schools will move through the standard review process. The CMS Board of Education must hold a public hearing before voting on the measure. This step allows parents, teachers, and community members to provide feedback before it is finalized.
If approved, the policy would provide a clear set of guidelines for how AI is used across the district — establishing expectations for ethical, safe, and effective integration of technology into both classroom instruction and administrative processes.