Nevada Education Department unveils AI ethics guidelines

The Nevada Department of Education has released a guidance document for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade classrooms across the state. The document, titled "Nevada’s STELLAR Pathway to AI Teaching and Learning: Ethics, Principles, and Guidance," is now available on the Nevada Department of Education’s Digital Learning website.

The Nevada AI Alliance, a new initiative formed in collaboration with the Nevada Community Foundation, marks a substantial step toward incorporating AI responsibly in education. Dr. Steve Canavero, Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction, commented on the goals of the new alliance, stating: “With the Nevada AI Alliance, we are creating ethical guidelines and resources to ensure AI enhances education while maintaining equity, privacy, and the central role of educators. The ultimate goal is to empower every Nevada student to succeed in a future shaped by technology.”

The creation of the document involved extensive consultations with educators, parents, students, and community members, facilitated by statewide town hall meetings organized by the Nevada AI Alliance. These meetings highlighted concerns such as technology access equity, data privacy, and potential biases. The guidance document aims to address these issues while reinforcing the critical function of educators in the deployment of AI.

Finally, the released guidance document offers strategies for local education agencies to implement AI ethically in education, focusing on maintaining educational equity and addressing privacy concerns related to data and bias.