This Friday’s presentation on AI in the classroom left me thinking less about the tools themselves and more about how we talk to students about them. The biggest takeaway wasn’t “use more AI” or “avoid AI”, but t was about balance, literacy, and making sure both students and staff understand what’s actually happening.

Teaching students about AI

One of the most helpful parts of the session focused on how we explain AI to students in ways that make sense to them. A key concept that came up was hallucinations which is when AI generates information that sounds convincing but isn’t true.

Students are already encountering this. They might:

  • Put AI-generated information into homework that isn’t accurate
  • Get confidently written but incorrect answers
  • Ask silly prompts like “animals that live on the moon” and receive detailed responses
  • Ask about an author’s books and get a list—even when those books don’t exist

AI is better than it used to be, but it still isn’t perfect. Helping students understand that AI can sound knowledgeable without actually being correct is essential. The goal is not to scare them away from using it, but to help them use it critically and responsibly.

AI literacy is now part of digital literacy

Another clear message from the presentation was that we need to teach AI literacy the same way we teach media literacy and internet safety.

That means:

  • Explaining what AI is (and isn’t)
  • Showing students how to question outputs
  • Teaching them to verify information
  • Helping them understand when tools are supportive and when they aren’t

This only works if all school staff are on the same page. Everyone in a school community needs to know:

  • Which tools students are using
  • How they’re using them
  • What expectations we’re setting

Consistency matters. If one classroom encourages AI and another bans it without discussion, students receive mixed messages. Open communication among staff helps create shared language and expectations.

The environmental conversation

Another important piece was the environmental impact of AI. Students are often very aware of sustainability, and AI provides a real-world context for discussing energy use and technological responsibility.

The presentation highlighted a few examples:

  • Some countries are placing data centres underground and using the heat to warm homes
  • Others are working to make AI systems more energy-efficient and sustainable
  • Conversations about environmental footprint should include AI alongside everything else we use (Ie. do kids get driven to school every day when they could walk?)

Rather than presenting AI as purely harmful or purely helpful, the focus was on balance and transparency. Students should understand both the benefits and the costs and should be invited into the conversation. Asking them for ideas about sustainability helps them feel involved rather than powerless.

Check out this great video on the impacts of AI on sustainability. It would be a perfect tool to get the conversation started in a high school level class!

Moving forward

My biggest takeaway is that the goal isn’t perfection, but awareness.

We want students to understand that AI can make mistakes and to see it as a support rather than a shortcut. They should feel comfortable asking questions, thinking critically about what they see, and staying curious as they learn. At the same time, we want educators to stay informed, share knowledge with one another, use clear and accessible language, and focus on guiding students’ learning rather than trying to control it.

AI isn’t going away. If anything, it’s becoming more embedded in daily life. Our role is to help students navigate it thoughtfully, ethically, and confidently.

AI literacy lesson ideas & resources:

Below is a great document that could be used for teaching AI concepts in accessible, age-appropriate ways and for helping students build the skills they need to navigate this evolving landscape.