Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Like it or not, artificial intelligence is here. District 186 assistant superintendent Erica Filipiak gave a presentation to Monday’s board meeting about the district’s AI guidelines, following the Illinois State Board of Education‘s 408-page establishment of guidelines.

Filipiak said last year’s work of an AI committee is “very much aligned” to ISBE’s guidelines.

“We are really wanting to focus on keeping the human component within our guidelines,” said Filipiak. “It is very, very important that students know how to use AI responsibly, so you need to really consider, why am I wanting to use AI? What kind of prompt should I use to support my end goal?”

Filipiak said self-guided professional development is available, knowing some teachers will be more comfortable with AI than others.

“Technology is not going anywhere,” said superintendent Terrance Jordan after the presentation. “If we just say no to technology, no to screen time, no to AI, then we are doing a disservice to our kids and to our community. When they graduate, they’re behind.”