Waterloo Region school boards introduce approved AI tools for students

Do Artificial Intelligence tools belong in local classrooms? CTV’s Spencer Turcotte hears why they are being introduced and why critics are concerned.

Artificial intelligence is making its way into Waterloo Region classrooms, with both local school boards now introducing approved AI tools for some students.

Supporters said the technology is already part of daily life and students need to learn how to use it responsibly, while critics warn overreliance could weaken critical thinking skills.

“We wanted to make a deliberate choice to be in the room with our students as they encounter this technology, rather than leave them to navigate it alone,” said Annalisa Varano, director of education for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB).

Both the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and WCDSB have introduced approved AI tools for students. The use of the technology includes teacher oversight and restrictions on how it can be used.

“We were very careful when we vetted each of the approved resources for privacy and safety before it ever reached any of our students,” Varano said.

Students at the Catholic board can begin using approved AI software in Grade 6. At the public board, students can begin in Grade 7, although officials stress the technology is optional and teachers remain in control of when it can be used.

“Students do not have to engage with or use this tool,” said WRDSB director of education Scott Miller.

“We’ll certainly allow for the foundational skills like reading and mathematics and all that development that happens up to Grade 7 to occur,” he added.

As schools embrace AI, some experts worry students could become too dependent on it.

“The need to validate and understand the output of these models and the skill that’s needed there is critical thinking,” said Michael Pavlin, an associate professor in operations and decision sciences at Wilfrid Laurier University.

University of Waterloo computer science professor Maura Grossman said she has already seen post-secondary students rely too heavily on AI tools.

“These tools can hallucinate and make up things,” Grossman said, adding that she’s had her own students admit to using AI to do the learning for them.

“[A student] had never read an article. He had never read a book chapter. He put everything into ChatGPT or Claude or one of these tools and had it summarized for him,” she said of one student. “That’s really scary. And that’s somebody who’s got some maturity under their belt.”

Pavlin, who also uses AI in his own research, said the technology can be helpful but believes schools should move cautiously.

“I have a 12-year-old and a 16-year-old,” Pavlin said. “I think we should be using an abundance of caution here. We’ve seen things go off the rails with social media.”

Jennifer Flanagan, CEO of Actua, said avoiding AI altogether is no longer realistic.

“The reality is that the train has left the station. AI is not going away,” Flanagan said. “We want to have people who can use AI in a way that helps us solve some of the world’s big problems.”

While opinions differ on how quickly AI should be integrated into classrooms, many agree the focus needs to remain on ensuring students continue developing critical thinking and foundational learning skills.

Both school boards have created online resources for families outlining approved AI tools, privacy information and guidance around misinformation.

The WRDSB’s student guidelines for generative AI are available through the Waterloo Region District School Board website.

The WCDSB’s AI resource guide for families can be found through the Waterloo Catholic District School Board resource page.