The International Department has developed a set of goals for using AI in KCIS. Our main goal is to teach students to use AI responsibly. It is a tool that can help them learn more, not something that does all the hard work for them. We teach students to think about AI tools the same as technology we already have. For example, years ago, we taught students to do online research by using Google responsibly. That meant to find data from reliable websites and to cite sources. Most importantly, we taught students that they could not just copy and paste other people’s writing. All of these concepts can be applied to AI as well. Even though AI is faster, students use it the same way they used previous technology.

We have already put some AI tools to use in our projects. In the grade 6 achieve writing, Innovation Expo, students used AI image generators to make a picture of a new invention. After writing a product description for a futuristic invention, AI helped their writing come to life. Thanks to this AI tool, students were more motivated to write a descriptive explanation of their product, and they were proud to show off the final result!

In our grade 4 project Living and Learning, students used AI to help research life in other places. In the past, most children had to be taught not to type full questions into Google, such as “What do kids in Egypt eat for breakfast?” Now, AI is perfectly able to understand search questions like this. Research was not only easier, but students became more curious about the world. Once they saw how easy it was to learn about other places, their thirst for knowledge grew. This year their work contains more details than ever before.

Of course, we are concerned about students using AI to write their projects for them. We also want to limit screen time. Therefore, we still use traditional research and writing methods. Our classes still visit the library for research. Students still write their outlines and project drafts on paper. They still make corrections, just like before. Most importantly, students still work with their friends to discuss ideas, express their creativity, and give each other helpful feedback. We only use AI in ways that enhance these fundamental ideas. It can improve some parts of our projects, but it cannot replace them.

Using AI in school is an ongoing issue. At KCIS, we are working hard to use AI in ways that bring out students’ creativity and curiosity. As the technology continues to improve, we are also looking for ways to make our curriculum better able to train 21st-century learners. We are optimistic about how students can use it to become even better at research, communication with peers, and more.