How students in Surrey, B.C., are helping shape the future of AI in classrooms

Schools across B.C. are grappling with how to bring artificial intelligence into classrooms.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the way people learn and work, students in Surrey, B.C., are taking an active role in guiding how AI is introduced in their classrooms.

Grade 7 student Benjamin Neufeld is part of the Surrey School District’s Superintendent’s AI Advisory Council — a group of students offering feedback on how schools can responsibly use the fast-evolving technology.

“Often, you know, teachers can sometimes feel overworked,” Neufeld said. “And I think that having AI is like having, sort of, almost like a substitute for that teacher.”

Grade 11 student Jasper Zhang, also on the advisory council, said while some teachers are embracing AI tools, others are more hesitant — a divide he believes education leaders need to address.

“So instead of making our students just, like, bury their heads in the sand and hope that AI goes away,” Zhang said, “we should be learning productive ways to help students, when they go to the workforce, to be able to adopt and use AI”

Surrey School District Superintendent Mark Pearmain has been hosting AI information sessions for months. One of the biggest concerns he hears from parents is about student privacy and safety — particularly when it comes to sharing personal data with online AI platforms.

“We’ve heard from parents, staff, and students,” Pearmain said. “One of the biggest concerns coming from parents is the safety side of AI.”

The provincial government has released guidance on AI use in schools, and B.C.’s Minister of Education Lisa Beare told CTV News the province supports schools using AI, but emphasized the need for guardrails.

“We have to recognize it’s here, and people are using it,” said Beare. “So we want to make sure that everyone is using it safely, and that it’s being used in the best possible way in classrooms.”

Still, implementing AI effectively is a logistical and financial challenge — especially in a district like Surrey, which is already facing budget pressures. But Pearmain believes the technology could help level the playing field for many students.

“The majority of our students aren’t necessarily English-first language speakers,” he said. “Many don’t have parents with formal schooling or post-secondary education. Now, you have a platform that provides a level playing field.”

Pearmain and the student advisory council agree that a balanced approach is key — one that enhances learning without becoming overly reliant on tech.

“If ChatGPT goes down or if the power goes out,” Zhang said, “we should still be able to do all the things we were able to do before AI.”

For now, the district is leaving the final decisions up to individual teachers, while working to provide more support, tools, and guidance for the next school year.