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To prepare staff and students for an AI-integrated future, APS has launched the Year of AI Empowered Learning—a district-wide initiative focused on building readiness, confidence, and shared understanding. This year is designed to support staff as they explore the role of Generative AI in education and develop best practices for responsible, equitable, and innovative classroom use.
Year of AI Empowered Learning
Our priority is to make sure that our staff are exposed to responsible use of generative AI. In this time, self-paced and live session professional development opportunities and thoroughly vetted tools will be available.
While understanding that innovation and emerging technology requires us to provide our staff time to learn and a thoughtful rollout plan, we also know that our students are impacted by generative AI tools in their day-to-day lives while receiving varying levels of guidance. In response to this need, APS will launch a “Year of AI Empowered Learning” during the 2025-2026 school year. This approach will allow us time to adapt as a system as the technology continues to evolve and ensure a safe and protected learning environment for our students. We are committed to providing a secure and supportive space where students can explore and benefit from generative AI tools as developmentally appropriate.
To achieve this, we will continue to engage our stakeholders through informational sessions, feedback opportunities, and communication. We believe that by working together with our community, we can create a positive and enriching experience for our students. Generative AI has the potential to enhance creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It can support personalized learning and prepare students for future opportunities. We are excited to continue on this learning journey and look forward to seeing the positive impact on our teaching and learning experiences.
APS Guidance on Generative AI
APS has developed a living guidance document to support the responsible and effective use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in our schools. This framework was created by a cross-departmental working group—including staff from Academics, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Student Support, Information Services, and School & Community Relations—and reflects APS’s values and strategic goals.
The guidance is designed to evolve over time and offers direction for school leaders, teachers, support staff, students, and families. It outlines key focus areas such as privacy and safety, instructional use, operational efficiency, and equity.
The most current version of the framework can be viewed by visiting the following webpage:
APS Approved Generative AI Tools
SchoolAI
- SchoolAI is APS’s primary instructional GenAI platform, selected for its educator-friendly features and strong student data protections.
- Instructional staff can access SchoolAI by logging into MyAccess, clicking the Clever tile, and searching for “SchoolAI.”
- SchoolAI is also available as a Canvas LTI integration, allowing secondary teachers to use it directly within their course pages.
Microsoft Copilot
- The Enterprise Data Protection version of copilot is available for instructional and non-instructional staff.
- This premium level chatbot can be accessed by signing into MyAccess, clicking the Office365 tile, and searching “apps” for Copilot.
- Once logged in with an APS email, staff will see a green shield outline on the top righthand side of their screen.
Google Gemini and NotebookLM
- Google Gemini and NotebookLM are available to APS instructional and non-instructional staff for professional use, including planning, productivity, and instructional support.
- These tools are accessible when staff sign into MyAccess, click the Google Workspace tile, and search for Gemini or NotebookLM in the Google apps “waffle” in the upper right corner.
- When logged in with an APS email, staff are using versions that include data protection features designed to safeguard privacy and support responsible use.
Spotlight on SchoolAI Safety & Security
SchoolAI is designed with student data privacy at its core.
It meets federal privacy laws like FERPA and COPPA, and has earned third-party certifications including SOC 2 Type I and 1EdTech TrustEd Apps. SchoolAI also participates in the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC), with over 390 approved agreements across U.S. districts.
Families and educators can explore SchoolAI’s real-time system status and data practices at https://trust.schoolai.com, and learn more about its security design at https://schoolai.com/data-security.
