AI in Education: Are You Asking the Right Questions?

by Guest Blogger

Andy Kwiecien - Principal, Canada

Artificial Intelligence has quickly become a welcome tool in today’s classrooms, offering educators new ways to support teaching, streamline tasks, and enhance student learning. From generating lesson plans and adapting content for diverse learners to helping draft communication and provide quick feedback, AI tools are making their mark in practical, time-saving ways. In an educational landscape where time is stretched and demands continue to grow, these technologies have introduced much-needed efficiencies - allowing teachers to focus more on instruction, connection, and creativity. But as we embrace AI’s potential, it’s equally important to approach its use with thoughtfulness and responsibility.

As a school administrator and former technology implementation coordinator for a large school district, I’ve long been immersed in the evolving landscape of educational technology - guiding educators in selecting the right tools to support effective teaching and learning. With an ever-expanding array of digital platforms, apps, and emerging AI tools, teachers today are discovering powerful resources to enhance efficiency, personalize learning, and differentiate instruction. Yet, amidst the excitement and innovation, there lies a critical responsibility: before adopting any new technology - especially AI - we must pause to consider its purpose, ethical implications, data privacy, potential biases, and overall impact on our students and community. Responsible integration starts with asking the right questions.

To ensure thoughtful and responsible use of AI tools, it’s essential to ask key questions before diving in. These questions help educators and professionals clarify the tool’s purpose, assess data privacy risks, evaluate ethical considerations, and understand limitations. By taking a moment to reflect on intent, accuracy, compliance, and impact, we can better align our use of AI with our values, responsibilities, and the needs of those we serve.

Before using an AI tool, individuals should reflect on several key questions to ensure responsible, effective, and ethical use. Here’s a list of guiding questions to ask prior to using an AI tool for education:

Purpose & Intent

  1. What is the specific goal I want to achieve with this AI tool?
  2. Am I trying to supplement, automate, or replace a task?
  3. Is using AI the most appropriate solution for this task, or would a human or other tool be more suitable?

Data Input & Privacy

  1. What type of data will I be inputting into the AI?
  2. Does this data contain any personal, sensitive, or confidential information?
  3. Who owns the data I input, and what happens to it after submission?

Bias & Accuracy

  1. Is the AI likely to produce biased, inaccurate, or incomplete results for this use case?
  2. Am I aware that AI outputs are generated based on patterns and not verified facts?
  3. Do I need to fact-check or verify the AI's output before using it?

Ethics & Responsibility

  1. Is using AI in this context ethical and aligned with my organization’s or personal values?
  2. Could this use of AI cause harm, misinformation, or disadvantage to anyone?
  3. Am I being transparent with others (e.g., students, clients, coworkers) about my use of AI?
  1. Does my organization or industry have policies or regulations around AI use?
  2. Am I complying with copyright, intellectual property, and data protection laws?

Tool Credibility & Functionality

  1. Is this AI tool reliable, reputable, and developed by a trustworthy source?
  2. Do I understand how the tool works, and what its limitations are?
  3. Does the tool provide references, citations, or explain its responses?

Outcome & Evaluation

  1. How will I evaluate the quality or usefulness of the AI’s output?
  2. What human judgment or intervention is needed to finalize the task?
  3. What is my backup plan if the AI fails to produce what I need?


As a school leader, I’ve seen firsthand the excitement and innovation that AI tools bring to our classrooms. I’ve also witnessed the incredible potential they hold to reduce workload, personalize learning, and support both staff and students in meaningful ways. But with that potential comes responsibility. It’s up to us - as educators and leaders - to model intentional, ethical, and informed use of these tools. By asking the right questions before diving in, we not only protect the integrity of our practice but also ensure that technology serves our students in the way they truly deserve: with care, clarity, and purpose.

Citation:

"AI Tools Considerations" prompt. ChatGPT, 17 June. version, OpenAI, 17 June. 2025, chat.openai.com/chat.