Recently, there has been an explosion of interest in generative AI, driven in part by breakthroughs in deep learning and neural networks. ChatGPT has set the record for the fastest-growing user base in history, reaching one million subscribers in merely five days. As AI technology continues to advance, it is creating new opportunities to develop innovative products and services. This, in turn, is creating one of the biggest new markets for talent. There is already a burgeoning industry for prompt engineers who are experts on the ‘anatomy of the prompt’. Prompt engineering is the art and science of designing and optimizing interactions with AI language models to improve performance and achieve desired outcomes. These jobs require an intimate understanding of AI, not necessarily the ability to develop it. Although, there are plenty of jobs out there for data scientists and machine learning engineers too. 

As mavens of workforce development at the intersection of education and industry, MindSpark believes it is imperative to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the age of AI. This includes investing in education strategies that teach the technical skills needed to develop and deploy AI systems, as well as the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to apply AI in real-world settings. The breakneck adoption of generative AI raises important ethical and social concerns – and calls for guardrails. 

Enterprising educators need to ensure that AI is used responsibly and the use of AI in education does not exacerbate existing inequalities or perpetuate bias. By taking a thoughtful and responsible approach to the use of AI in education, we can unlock its potential to transform learning and prepare students for the jobs of the future. Whether education leaders are developing policies for the internal use of AI, updating career connected learning experiences, or guiding students who are inventing AI-embedded technology – RAI (Responsible Artificial Intelligence) principles support those who are charged with creating the next generation of informed citizens.

So, what is RAI? 

Making AI safe for schools involves taking a responsible approach to its development, implementation, and use. This includes following the principles of Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI) and ensuring that AI systems are community-centric, ethical and fair, explainable and transparent, justifiable and accountable, and monitorable and secure.

Community-centric: Are needs, values, and concerns of the community and all affected individuals considered in both the creation and use of AI? This principle ensures that AI systems are developed with the involvement of diverse stakeholders. It also requires ongoing engagement with the community to ensure that AI systems serve the public good. 

Ethical and fair: Do you have equitable policies for the adults and the students in the system? This principle focuses on how AI systems adhere to ethical principles, promote fairness and equity, avoid discrimination, prevent unintended consequences, and distribute benefits and risks fairly among all stakeholders. 

Explainable and transparent: Are the AI systems you are working with understandable to humans? This principle involves analyzing the complexity of the system, its capabilities, how it was trained, and how the system communicates outcomes and reasoning. 

Justifiable and accountable: Does the use of AI align to your honor code? This principle examines whether an organization has proven clear oversight processes for the development and use of an AI system, ensuring accountability for designing and communicating its functions and limitations to users. 

Monitorable and secure: Do you have amended data privacy practices in place to protect students and staff? This principle stipulates that AI systems are secure from cyber threats and that there are mechanisms in place to detect and respond to any security breaches. 

RAI is an emerging field and is likely to land a spot on your strategic plan if it isn’t already there. MindSpark acts as a bridge between education and industry to equip education leaders with the tools and skills needed to responsibly prepare their students for the workforce. MindSpark believes that the most effective way to learn about AI is from the technology itself. Responsible AI from MindSpark Learning is a new on-demand course created with Generative AI. Not only is it about artificial intelligence — it is artificial intelligence. 

As a technology advocate, I frequently draw on research from Harvard Business Review, Josh Bersin, MIT Sloan, Accenture, Gartner, Wired, and Scientific American. I also regularly use ChatGPT as a thinking companion and copilot.

For the K12 Dive Community we’re offering 25% off the course! Use code RAIDive25 to claim, using link above.