July 11, 2024
Dear Minister Smith and Attorney General Downey,
I am writing to you on behalf of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on public education. As you know, AI is a rapidly developing technology that presents opportunities and challenges for educators and students, but the full ramifications of AI are complex and not yet fully understood.
The Ministry of Education, with its many resources and connections to the work of other ministries related to AI, is best positioned to assist school boards in comprehending the implications and impact of AI in our schools on a province-wide level. Therefore, we are writing to request the establishment of a provincial strategy to support school boards in their understanding and approach to AI and its impacts on student achievement and well-being.
We propose that this strategy may include, but not be limited to, the following components:
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Establishment of a Provincial Committee
Form a committee dedicated to supporting school boards in understanding the implications of AI on student achievement and well-being.
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Provincial Conference
Host a conference focusing on the significant issues and implications of AI in schools, including its impact on teaching, learning, and student well-being.
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Ongoing Support and Strategies
Provide continuous support and strategies for educators and school boards to effectively integrate and manage AI technologies.
The TDSB is also requesting that the provincial strategy explicitly consider and provide supports to address the following critical areas impacted by AI in public education:
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Student well-being and achievement
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Connection to curriculum
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Privacy, data, and security
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Quality control and algorithmic biases
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Equity
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Child social development
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Personal safety (including but not limited to cyberbullying, child exploitation, and gender-based violence)
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Professional development
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Academic integrity
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Ethical considerations (including use for predictive analytics)
We would note that other ministries, particularly the Ministry of the Attorney General, through its work to combat internet child exploitation in the province, could play a key supportive role in such a provincial strategy for school boards.
I welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Rachel Chernos Lin
Chair, Toronto District School Board
cc:
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Ontario Public School Boards’ Association
Toronto Catholic District School Board
OSTA-AECO