Key Principles of Ethical AI
As AI becomes embedded within collective technologies, ethical use becomes a shared responsibility. Digital citizenship is not about avoiding technology, but about using it thoughtfully and transparently.
As AI tools increasingly become part of teaching, learning, administration and wellbeing support, staff need a shared understanding of how to use them responsibly and model good digital behaviour for students. These principles help ensure AI supports education safely, fairly and transparently.
Ethical use is guided by several core principles:
- Transparency:
- Be clear when AI is being used and for what purpose
- Explain to students if an AI tool supports feedback, generates content or analyses data
- Avoid presenting AI outputs as unquestionable facts
- Accuracy and Verification:
- AI can be helpful but is not always correct
- Staff must check always AI‑generated information before using it in lessons, reports or communication
- Teach students to cross‑check AI outputs against trusted sources
- Fairness and Bias Awareness:
- AI may reflect biases in its training data
- Avoid using AI for decisions that could unfairly disadvantage individuals (e.g. behaviour reports, safeguarding judgements)
- Review outputs critically for stereotypes or unfair assumptions
- Privacy and Data Protection:
- Avoid entering sensitive, personal or confidential information into AI tools unless approved by the school and compliant with data protection laws
- Be mindful of student identifiers, health information, behaviour notes or safeguarding details
- Use school‑approved tools with appropriate security and data‑handling policies
- Professional Responsibility:
- AI should support, not replace, teacher judgement, expertise and professionalism
- Staff remain accountable for the content they share or decisions they make, even if AI contributed to it
- Use AI ethically as part of planning, differentiation, resource creation and communication
- Safety and Wellbeing:
- Only use AI tools that align with safeguarding expectations
- Evaluate whether AI-generated content is suitable for student age groups
- Encourage responsible, safe use of AI with students
Key Principles of Digital Citizenship
Digital citizenship goes beyond staying safe online, it is about helping students become responsible, respectful and effective users of technology. There are also a range of core principles for digital citizenship which should be considered in education:
- Online Safety:
- Understanding how to protect personal information
- Recognising unsafe or inappropriate online behaviour
- Knowing when and how to report concerns.
- Digital Responsibility:
- Using technology in a way that does not harm oneself or others
- Respecting school acceptable-use policies
- Balancing screen time and maintaining healthy digital habits
- Respectful Communication:
- Using polite, inclusive language in digital spaces
- Understanding the impact of online actions and words
- Preventing or responding appropriately to cyberbullying
- Critical Thinking and Media Literacy:
- Evaluating online information for credibility
- Recognising misinformation, deepfakes and manipulated content
- Understanding how algorithms influence what we see online
- Digital Footprint Awareness:
- Understanding that online actions leave permanent traces
- Managing reputation and behaving ethically on social platforms
- Encouraging students to consider long-term impacts of what they post
- Intellectual Property and Academic Integrity:
- Respecting copyright when using images, media or AI-generated work
- Understanding plagiarism and source acknowledgment
- Teaching students to use AI as a support tool, not a shortcut