Artificial Intelligence at DDSB
Help inform our AI Strategy Update: Policy & Procedure
The Durham District School Board (DDSB) introduced Generative Artificial Intelligence Guidelines in 2025 to help students and staff with practical guidance for the responsible use of AI. These guidelines continue to support thoughtful use of these technologies while emphasizing learning, critical thinking, privacy and human judgement.
As AI technologies and their use continue to develop, DDSB is building on this work by developing an AI Policy and supporting Procedure and updating the existing guidelines. Together, these documents will build on the direction already in place and establish clearer expectations for responsible use of AI in teaching, learning, and other work across the District.
We are inviting students, staff and families to help shape this work. The draft Policy and Procedure are a starting point for consultation. We welcome your perspectives on what the drafts address well, what needs more strengthening, and what would help make DDSB’s approach clear, practical and useful.
Background Information
Our current guidelines focus on generative AI: technology that can create content such as text, images and audio. They provide practical guidance for students and staff on responsible use, including checking information for accuracy, acknowledging AI use and protecting privacy.
The proposed Policy and Procedure build on these foundations while addressing AI more broadly, including systems that generate content, make predictions or recommendations, or support decision-making.
AI may offer opportunities to support learning, creativity, accessibility and staff work, while also raising important considerations related to accuracy, fairness, privacy, security and human oversight. The proposed framework is intended to provide consistent direction for navigating these opportunities and considerations.
A policy sets the Board’s overall direction and expectations. The proposed AI Policy describes the principles and responsibilities that would govern AI use across DDSB.
A procedure explains how that direction is put into practice. The proposed AI Procedure outlines responsibilities, safeguards and processes for using AI.
The guidelines provide practical advice for everyday use. They will be updated to support the Policy and Procedure and help students and staff understand what responsible AI use looks like in their learning and work.
The proposed policy and procedure address:
- Teaching and learning: Supporting appropriate AI use while maintaining student thinking, academic integrity and educators’ professional judgement.
- Human oversight: Ensuring people remain responsible for reviewing AI-generated information and accountable for decisions.
- Privacy and security: Protecting personal and sensitive information and establishing expectations for the review and appropriate use of AI tools.
- Indigenous rights, human rights and accessibility: Considering potential bias and barriers to participation, accessibility, and identifying potential impacts on Indigenous and human rights.
- Transparency and accountability: Clarifying when AI use should be disclosed and how concerns should be raised.
