Sharjah:The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) has unveiled a new ethical framework to guide the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in schools, aiming to ensure the safe, responsible, and effective integration of AI technologies in education.

According to Emirates News Agency, the framework is designed to enhance education quality, support digital transformation, and enable both teachers and students to utilize AI while safeguarding privacy, data protection, and academic integrity. It aligns with the UAE's national directives and emphasizes principles such as fairness, transparency, accountability, human oversight, cybersecurity, critical thinking, and the verification of AI-generated content.

Aisha Butti Al Ghafli, Director of the Curriculum and Assessment Department at SPEA, emphasized that the framework represents SPEA's dedication to incorporating modern technology into education while protecting learner data, reinforcing teacher roles, and fostering critical thinking skills among students.

The initiative also aims to support adaptive learning, encourage innovation, enhance teacher proficiency, and prepare students with skills necessary for the future. It includes practical guidelines for schools in Sharjah, addressing different curricula and learning environments, and outlines the responsibilities of school leaders, teachers, students, IT teams, educational specialists, and parents.

To maintain academic integrity, the guidelines establish rules for AI use in assignments, projects, and assessments, requiring appropriate disclosure and ensuring AI-generated content does not replace original student work or teacher roles. They also mandate the verification of AI-generated information and its sources.

Additionally, the framework sets standards for using AI in institutional media and promotional materials, ensuring the protection of official symbols and visual identity, content accuracy, and compliance with approved standards. This initiative is part of SPEA's broader efforts to keep pace with technological advancements while upholding educational standards and preserving the human element in education.