AI: You Can’t Ignore It. Here’s What You CAN Do.

For many teachers—in fact, for much of the population in general—the shift towards use of generative AI is a source of anxiety and an unknown. Tech is moving faster and faster. This new tool has burst onto the scene rapidly and had a big impact in a short amount of time. Education is one area in particular where generative AI raises many questions.

How do we prevent students from outsourcing their planning, writing, and thinking entirely? Will we be able to tell if and when this is happening? How do we assess learning accurately when they all have ChatGPT at their fingertips? Will there be an entire generation of adults with no critical thinking schools? 

It might seem easier to ignore the issue of generative AI entirely. Unfortunately, history has told us that the advance of technology will wait for noone. To properly equip students for the future it’s necessary to arm them with relevant knowledge of what they’ll encounter. That includes ChatGPT and all of its peers.

Teachers may not be ready to promote it, or embrace it with open arms, but they will have to engage in some way. Here are some key concepts to guide you along the way.

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Educate students on safe use of AI tools

Keeping students safe online should already be a priority for school leaders. AI adds another layer to this, and it’s important to include it in the curriculum somewhere. Data privacy is the key concern here: students should have a solid understanding that any information entered, including prompts, can be stored and reused. Paid tools will have more privacy protocols in place, and students should know to read and understand the programmes they are using.

Reiterating these safe use concerns whenever AI is used or discussed will reinforce the importance of students protecting themselves and their data. Establishing good habits for not only generative AI but any online behaviour is setting the next generation up for success in a digital world.

Encourage critical thinking always

Some say that AI will be the downfall of critical thinking, but it can present educators with an opportunity to reinforce students’ skills in this area. Reviewing a response from ChatGPT, Gemini, or another generative AI platform is a helpful exercise: consider the accuracy of claims made, check or track down sources to verify, and consider how well the text answers or fulfills the prompt given.

With so much information readily available in the age of the internet, and now with customised answers to questions generated in the blink of an eye, critical thinking is crucial. For teachers unenthusiastic about AI tools, a focus on developing these skills is a positive contribution to equipping students for the world they’ll be living in.

Keep ethics in the forefront

There are multiple ethical concerns around generative AI, as there are with many technological innovations. In addition to aforementioned data safety concerns, there is the environmental aspect to consider: the training of large language models and AI tools uses huge amounts of water and electricity. The process also generates large amounts of CO2 emissions; the Guardian reported on a study which suggested that AI-related emissions in 2025 were equal to those of New York City. Today’s students will inherit a globe with a climate change issue that needs solving, and understanding of how technology contributes to this will be important.

That’s not the full list of ethical dilemmas that come with AI. There’s also the stealing of creative IP from artists and makers, the potential for bias from tools provided by profit-focused companies operating under a system of capitalism, the existence (or lack) of accountability, and others. Whether using AI as an example or through other channels, encouraging students to consider the ethical implications of their decisions is a very valuable lesson that may help to shape a brighter and fairer future.

Rely on good assessment practice

The increased potential for students to ‘cheat’ the assessment system by having generative AI tools write essays and answer questions for them weighs on the mind of many teachers and school leaders. It’s a very valid worry, and many schools and institutions have made changes in response. The University of Auckland has specified a two-lane approach that includes restricting access to AI for some assessments, and allowing open access for others. Many schools have policy around AI use in assessment and the NZQA offers official guidance on the subject. 

Underlying any restrictions or guardrails that are used to prevent AI interference is the simple concept that good assessment practice remains unchanged, before and after AI. Assessment that captures the learning journey in various forms, uses transparent instructional rubrics as a tool and guide, and involves human discernment, cannot be entirely fooled by technology. When a teacher has a good overview of a student’s capability and progress, an essay or answer copied from Gemini is more likely to be picked up. Take a look at our blog post on assessment in the age of AI for more depth or contact us to discuss your unique situation.

Do what you can

Reticence around generative AI is understandable, particularly for educators who are invested in students' authentic learning and growth. It can be used as a shortcut when that is the intent, and there are very real concerns of privacy and ethics. Despite this, AI is here to stay and will become part of the fabric of our society. It can also be a helpful and valuable tool! Setting students up to succeed means preparing them for the world they’ll experience.

For educators that are struggling with the implications of this particular technological advance (which, it should be noted, is simply one in a long line of many), the concepts laid out above are a good starting point. Teachers are not obligated to engage deeply with AI, or to incorporate it in their lessons, but it can’t be ignored. Whether or not to use it as part of your lesson plans is a decision you’ll have to make. Teaching AI literacy is essential either way. Acknowledging the pros and cons of this innovation and helping students to approach it with thought and care, while emphasising the critical thinking that it can circumvent, is beneficial to young minds.