What generative AI is#

'Generative artificial intelligence' is a term that covers a range of tools that have been trained using huge sets of data to create new content. It is also called 'AI' and 'GenAI'.

Artificial intelligence has been around for a while, powering technology like predictive text. It is quickly becoming more widely available to more people, in free-to-use and paid tools and services.

Resources#

These resources from trusted sources can help you learn more about GenAI.

Introduction to artificial intelligence – Tāhūrangi

He Kōrero Whakataki ki te Atamai Rorohiko – Tāhurangi

Exploring Generative AI in a NZ classroom – Netsafe

What to think about when using AI tools#

Check the output#

AI can create content that seems plausible but contains nonsensical or incorrect detail. Whenever you use AI, make sure that you are reviewing and checking the outputs.

An introduction to the role of Artificial Intelligence in classrooms and schools – The Education Hub

Don’t use personal data#

Most free AI tools use the prompts you put in to continue to train the model – what you put in. The AI uses to improve its output. Don’t use personal data when you use AI tools, as what you put in may be reused.

New Zealand’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner has released expectations for people and organisations using generative AI. Principals and teachers should keep these guidelines in mind.

Generative artificial intelligence – Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Cultural bias#

AI models are trained on huge amounts of data from different countries and cultures. This means most AI models are built on dominant cultures and languages. The tools may not accurately reflect indigenous knowledge. From a New Zealand context, they are likely to be weak on Mātauranga and Te Reo Māori, as well as Pacifica languages and Polynesian cultures.

Read terms and conditions#

Carefully read the terms and conditions of use. Many AI models will reuse your prompts and the data you provide it to continue to learn and train. Make sure you do not enter copyright, confidential, personal, or sensitive information into these models.

Talk about it and make a policy#

Discuss with your staff how AI is used at your school and what rules and guidance you need to put in place for different contexts. It is best to adopt a practical, educative approach to AI and its uses.

Consider structuring your school AI policy to include guidance on:

• purpose and scope
• principles
• guidelines for external and internal
• risk mitigation
• professional development for teachers
• data privacy
• review.

GenAI and assessment#

Schools with consent to assess listed standards are required to have an authenticity policy to support assessment practice. This policy must include the acceptable use of GenAI.

Assessment is authentic when it affirms the skills, knowledge and competencies acquired by ākonga | students and reflects real world contexts and/or meaningful contexts.

Things to be aware of:

• Valid assessment evidence must be the student’s own work. Similarly to plagiarism or over-scaffolding, if GenAI is used to produce evidence that is assessed as the student’s work, then the assessment is invalid.
• The possible uses of GenAI in assessment contexts are therefore more limited than in teaching and learning contexts.

For NCEA internal assessments, teachers must be aware of any specific requirements of the Achievement Standard being assessed and its Conditions of Assessment.

NCEA – NCEA Education

For NCEA external assessments, the use of GenAI is not permitted. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has more information.

Guidance on the acceptable use of Artificial Intelligence – NZQA

Questions to consider#

Questions to consider when writing assessment policy that includes GenAI:

• How do you promote academic integrity?
  • What is academic integrity?
  • How does the use of GenAI relate to academic integrity?
  • What are the responsibilities for ensuring academic integrity for stakeholders? (students, teachers, whānau | families)?
  • Does your school’s operational policy (for example, an ‘assessment handbook’ for students and families) outline the responsibilities of each group, and have a clear process to follow when these may not have been met?
• How does your school policy outline your preferred approach to referencing source material, including referencing GenAI?
• How does your school policy warn about bias and inaccurate information being generated by GenAI?

Log in to Netsafe's Kete for further guidance that may be useful.

AI Policy – Netsafe Kete

Teachers using AI#

AI in education should improve teaching and learning, supporting knowledgeable and skilled teachers.

Human teachers must:

• remain central in students’ education
• take responsibility for students’ learning.

Reviewing work with AI tools#

Teachers and the school are responsible to make final decisions on learners’ work. Teachers should avoid using AI tools to mark work. AI systems have not seen enough work by young people in the context of New Zealand’s national curriculum to have a good understanding of what is expected and may be unfair or discriminatory.

Students using AI#

GenAI gives us opportunities to enhance teaching and learning, but when it comes to assessment, its use needs to be restricted to ensure a student’s work is their own.

NZQA has guidance on AI and when its use is acceptable in assessment.

Guidance on the acceptable use of Artificial Intelligence – New Zealand Qualifications Authority

Age restrictions on use of AI#

As with any digital tool, teachers and students must abide by the terms and conditions of the tools they’re using.

Several AI tools have age restrictions on their use. For example, to use ChatGPT you must be at least 13 years old, and if you are under 18 you must have your parent or legal guardian’s permission.

The terms of use for ChatGPT and any services using it are clear: you must not send it any personal information of anyone under the age of 13.

GenAI in NCEA#

Schools must have a policy on the acceptable use of GenAI. This policy should guide teachers’ and students’ NCEA assessment practice.

The principle of authenticity means that students are required to demonstrate their own knowledge, understanding, and skills in NCEA assessment events. Any evidence submitted for assessment must be their own work.

Another way of thinking about a student’s ‘own work’ is that it presents evidence of the knowledge and skills being assessed against the standard that the student has independently demonstrated and that they could repeat in a different context.

The use of GenAI is not permitted in NCEA external assessment.

Frequently asked questions about GenAI in NCEA assessment#

The frequently asked questions document below has more information about the use of GenAI in NCEA assessment.

GenAI case studies#

Read case studies of the use of GenAI at 2 New Zealand schools.