Artificial intelligence has found its way into classrooms faster than most of us could have imagined, from AI-powered research assistants and feedback tools to planning and assessment platforms. But as schools embrace these technologies, one question must stay at the forefront: Are we using AI deliberately, mindfully, and ethically?
Our community-driven panel discussion at the IB Global Conference in The Hague, “Beyond the Buzz of AI: A Conversation on Ethical AI, Data-Informed Teaching and ManageBac+”, brought together leading educators from around the world to unpack this question.
Our panelists included:
- Ali Garcia, Sky Educate
- Elizabeth Sutherland, International School of Paris
- Sibylle Harth, International School of Düsseldorf
- Chantelle Buchanan, Prague British International School
- Rita Bateson, Eblana Learning
- Jaun-Mari Moraal, NHL Stenden
- Monique Siep, NHL Stenden
- Leila Holmyard, Faria Education Group
- Rebecca Kwiatoski, Faria Education Group
Together, we examined what it means to introduce AI into schools with purpose, ensuring that ethics, safeguarding, and data privacy purposefully guide every decision. For students and teachers alike, this means navigating new technologies with confidence, guided by policy, professional development, and shared community standards.
The goal is not simply to add AI to the classroom, but to use it with intention to enhance teaching and learning without compromising the values that define high quality education. To explore this in depth, we covered several topics outlined below, highlighting key considerations, practical strategies, and challenges for using AI responsibly and effectively in schools.
Ethical AI and Policy
The audience heard about the work of Faria's AI Ethics Group, which meets regularly to shape the foundations of responsible AI through policy and advisory roles. The discussion considered how ethical use is fostered in schools, including whether policies include student and parent voices and how they are implemented in practice. The panel also explored the importance of sustainability, including the responsible use of resources and consideration of AI’s environmental impact, as a key component of ethical AI deployment.
Download the “Responsible Use Policy for Artificial Intelligence in International Schools” template that was shared during the discussion.
Education and Training
The panel explored strategies for educating and upskilling both teachers and students in the use of AI in academic settings. Discussions included incorporating AI literacy into curricula and providing training opportunities for teachers to build confidence and reduce fear around AI integration. Attendees also highlighted the importance of allowing students to explore AI tools while maintaining integrity, research skills, and pride in their own work.
Another key point centered on the high level of critical thinking required to ensure AI is used with clear purpose and intentional outcomes, rather than adopting AI simply for the sake of appearing innovative. Many teachers are grappling with this challenge today, recognizing that effective AI use goes far beyond “teaching how to prompt.” It requires understanding when AI is appropriate, how it supports learning goals, and ensuring a human remains at the center of the process, making informed decisions instead of deferring to automated outputs.
Safety and Wellbeing
AI can present safeguarding challenges for schools, particularly around image generation, cybersecurity, and exposure to inappropriate content. The panel noted that while many of these issues are not new, AI can certainly amplify them. In particular, panelists discussed the evolving safety and wellbeing concerns emerging from AI-generated images and content, especially for young female students, who are increasingly vulnerable to manipulated imagery, unrealistic portrayals, and new forms of digital harm that didn’t exist even a few years ago. These risks extend beyond traditional online safety issues and require new frameworks for protection, guidance, and rapid response.
The conversation also touched on broader wellbeing implications, including increased screen time, a reduced capacity for deep thinking, and AI’s impact on empathy. In response, the panel emphasized the need for proactive strategies such as promoting responsible AI use, encouraging open communication, embedding reflective practices, and equipping both staff and students with the awareness to navigate these emerging challenges.
These themes align with the broader guidance shared in our related piece, Five Actions School Leaders Can Take to Safeguard Students from Risks Related to Generative AI, which outlines practical steps for addressing these concerns within school communities.
Data-Informed Practice
The discussion emphasized that AI’s most meaningful contribution is in turning data into actionable insight. Schools explored ways to use AI tools to analyze assessment results, personalize learning, and support evidence-based decision-making which are powerful in the right context. Participants reflected on how thoughtful use of data can align AI with educational goals while maintaining ethical standards.
The Future of AI in Education
Panelists considered the broader implications of AI for teaching, learning, and society. Discussions included concerns about over-reliance on AI, cognitive offloading, and the potential for increased plagiarism or AI generated content. The group also explored questions about whether AI is solving the right problems and how schools can prepare students to understand its true impact, as well as a “second chance” to have these ethical conversations around this kind of powerful technology in education after regulations on social media and cell phone usage.
An additional thread in the conversation centered on the growing pressure many educators and school leaders feel to adopt AI quickly, often driven by an underlying desire to appear “perfect,” cutting-edge, or flawlessly innovative. This pressure can overshadow thoughtful implementation and distract from the real work of integrating AI in ways that support learning rather than simply checking a box.
Across the conversation, a recurring theme was the importance of maintaining trust, critical thinking, and a human touch alongside technology to ensure schools are still actively fostering those skills and not caving into all the hype without these powerful lenses.
ManageBac+
The session concluded with an exclusive preview of ManageBac+ features, such as Academic Analytics, My Workspace, and our AI Assistant. ManageBac+ is a flexible multi-curricula teaching and learning platform where curriculum management, lesson planning, assessment, communication, reporting and much more flow together effortlessly, reinforcing a human-centered approach to technology in education.
To continue exploring the topic of AI in schools, particularly relating to the ethics, learning, policy, and safeguarding behind it, you can download the resources shared by our panelists here.
Leading AI with Purpose: A Practical Roadmap for Schools
Join us on December 4th for an insightful webinar with Rita Bateson and Rachel Bodily, Co-Founders of Eblana Learning as they explore how school leaders can respond with intention and build strong foundations for ethical, responsible, and strategic AI integration. We’ll also introduce a new partnership between Faria Education Group and Eblana Learning, designed to support schools at every stage of the journey.