From helping students learn to raising new concerns about cheating and bias, AI is forcing educators to rethink how they teach.

Wake County teachers Nasheila Hall, who teaches high school math, and Yeimy Pope, who teaches English as a Second Language and reading intervention, both use artificial intelligence in the classroom. 

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"I actually show them how to use it productively in the classroom," Hall said. 

Despite AI's growing use by teachers and students, WRAL has found that several school districts in the area don’t have a written policy on the use of AI in classrooms. 

5 On Your Side and WRAL’s Education Insider reviewed 26 school districts. Of those, 17 have a written policy on AI use in the classroom.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools outlines plans to integrate the technology and train teachers to use AI to "improve educational outcomes."

Wayne County Public Schools didn’t respond when WRAL asked if they had a policy. 

Eight school districts, including Wake County, said they do not have a policy. Wake County is currently in the process of adopting one.

Students in districts that aren't embracing AI could find themselves left behind. 

"We won't be preparing them for the workforce they're going to be entering," said Mary Walton, dean of business and professional services at Wake Tech.

Walton, who spent more than a decade in the digital learning space, said teachers must educate students on responsible use. 

"For example, if I'm in an English course and I'm doing a research paper and I'm supposed to be learning the process of research, it may not be appropriate for me to use the tool to shortcut some of those," Walton said. 

But using AI to take a look at the final paper for suggestions on "clarity and grammar" is appropriate. 

The biggest concern, though, remains cheating. Most of the districts with policies have additional guidance regarding AI plagiarism and cheating.

"I definitely have seen that," Hall said. "Sometimes AI gives them methods and strategies that I never taught and I'm like, 'How did you get this?'" 

When used correctly can AI improve a student's performance? 

A Georgia State University pilot found that AI chatbot users were 5 to 6 percentage points more likely to earn a B or higher.

Schools districts with an AI policy 

  1. Chatham
    1. Cumberland
      1. Durham
        1. Edgecombe
          1. Granville
            1. Halifax
              1. Harnett
                1. Nash
                  1. Northampton
                    1. Orange 
                      1. Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools
                        1. Person
                          1. Roanoke Rapids
                            1. Sampson
                              1. Vance
                                1. Weldon City
                                  1. Wilson

                                    School districts without an AI policy

                                    1. Wake
                                      1. Clinton City Schools
                                        1. Franklin
                                          1. Johnston (considering language in Policy Code 3220)
                                            1. Lee
                                              1. Moore (broad technology policy, but no formal AI policy)
                                                1. Warren
                                                  1. Hoke