Wyoming Education Department Embraces Artificial Intelligence: Guidance for Local School Districts

Wyoming Education Department Encourages Use of Artificial Intelligence in Classrooms

In a move to prepare students for the future, the Wyoming Education Department (WDE) is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. While local school districts are still required to create their own AI policies, the state is encouraging districts to find ways to incorporate AI into education and teach students how to use it ethically.

The WDE’s guidance resource emphasizes the importance of AI education in preparing the next generation of learners and leaders. The manual outlines clear definitions of AI, including the recognition of algorithmic bias in generative AI. The department believes that AI has the potential to free up teachers for more instructional time and foster innovation in the classroom.

According to the guidance, AI policies should be cyclical and developed as needed. The department recommends using AI tools ethically and responsibly to help students achieve educational goals, promoting AI literacy, and maintaining human decision-making when utilizing AI.

As part of the guidance manual, the department includes a continuum of AI usage categories: AI-free, AI-assisted, AI-enhanced, and AI-empowered. Each category represents increasing levels of AI integration, with AI-empowered projects allowing for full integration of AI to create new products. However, students are still responsible for oversight, accuracy, and fairness.

The WDE also advises districts to adjust existing policies to keep up with the rapid advancements in AI technology. By embracing AI in the classroom, Wyoming schools are preparing students for a future that is increasingly reliant on AI technologies.

Overall, the WDE’s initiative to incorporate AI into education reflects a forward-thinking approach to preparing students for the digital age and ensuring they are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in an AI-driven world.