Around MVS, AI has sparked much debate across topics such as artwork, writing, and even whether we should use it for marketing materials. As compassionate global citizens, the MVS community cares enough about human creativity to question whether AI-generated work belongs in our community and in our world. But as we debate these questions, I think we need to ask another: how thoughtfully is MVS itself approaching AI?
A couple of months ago, during Faculty Professional Development Day in September, teachers were shown how to create lesson plans using AI to save time. MVS is not alone here, and according to Education Week, 58% of all K through 12 teachers have received AI training. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, and AI can be an incredibly useful tool, saving teachers time that can be better spent helping students. But I would like to make an important distinction between giving teachers tools, like our schools provided Google Gemini, and then encouraging and promoting their use simply because they exist.
MVS prides itself on developing “independent thinkers and self-sustaining learners.” We expect students to demonstrate integrity, embrace grit, struggle through difficult problems, and think for themselves. Shouldn’t those same principles help guide the decisions our school makes?
I have never argued that MVS should reject AI. I believe it can be an incredibly useful tool when someone deliberately decides how to use it. But adopting technology doesn’t automatically mean improvement just because it makes something easier. Efficiency is valuable, but it shouldn’t become a substitute for thoughtful decision-making. As AI becomes a part of education, whether you support it or not, we should be careful not to let its availability alone justify its use.
Hopefully, MVS continues to approach AI with the same critical thinking it encourages in its students. The question shouldn’t simply be where we can use AI, but where we should. If we expect students to thoughtfully examine when and why they use it, shouldn’t our school hold itself to that same standard?
