Think of AI like a classmate: if it would be considered cheating with a classmate, it’s also cheating with AI.

For example, if your friend wrote your whole paper and you turned it in with your name on it, that’s cheating. The same goes if AI writes a whole paper for you. But if you wrote the paper yourself and your friend read it, asked questions, and gave suggestions to make it stronger - that’s getting feedback. Using AI in that way (to brainstorm, ask questions, or improve your own work) is usually acceptable.

The golden rule: AI should support your learning, not replace it. And when in doubt, always check your teacher’s expectations first.

AI tools are becoming more common in school, and they can be really helpful for learning. However, without clear expectations, it can be hard to know the difference between using AI responsibly and crossing the line into academic dishonesty. When it comes to AI use in the classroom, what may be okay to one teacher may not be okay to another.

That’s why your teachers may have set rules for how and when you can use AI. If you aren’t sure what your teacher’s expectations are, just ask. Clear expectations help keep things fair and help you succeed.

Your personal information - and the information of your classmates and teachers - must be protected. A simple guideline: never share private or confidential details with AI tools. Even though some tools have security protections built in, it’s always safer to keep sensitive information out of them.

Why does this matter? Once information is shared, you can’t always control where it goes. Sharing private details could put you or others at risk of identity theft, scams, or unwanted attention. Good digital habits help protect your privacy, keep you safe, and make sure information doesn’t end up in the wrong place.

Most AI platforms require parent permission if you’re 13 to 17, and some aren’t approved for anyone under 18 at all. The good news is you already have access to several safe, district-approved tools with new AI features built in, like Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, MagicSchool, and SchoolAI. As a WISD student, your Google for Education account also provides you safe access to Gemini, Google's version of ChatGPT.

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