When should we start teaching AI to our students?
College, because they're not responsible enough to know how to use it responsibly before then?
High School because they'll need the skill when the get to college?
Middle School because they need to understand the right/wrong ways now so they're not cheating later.
Elementary because AI is integrated everywhere?
I think we need to teach AI at all levels. And why not? We have state requirements for health classes to cover sex education at multiple times throughout the K-12 journey. Why not have something similar for AI education? Prior to High School, there should be units at each grade level that teach grade-appropriate usage of AI while ensuring that topics such as bias, hallucinations, and PII (personally identifiable Information) are taught to inform students of what they need to be aware of.
At the high school level, there should either be classes designated for teaching appropriate usage of AI or digital literacy (software applications) that teach students over several weeks how to use it appropriately. At this level, students really need to address case studies in AI ethics and how AI usage in one class for one task might be completely inappropriate in another class based on the standards being addressed, the course content being covered, or the teacher's expectations. All classes should have AI policies for their courses. Educators should consider posting AI expectations visibly in the classroom.Â