FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is making it clear that artificial intelligence is here to stay, and students will be expected to use it responsibly.

What You Need To Know

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WSFCS) recently updated its Acceptable Use of Technology Policy, adding specific language around generative AI

District leaders emphasize the update is not a brand-new policy but rather an expansion of existing rules to reflect rapidly evolving technology

Under Policy 6161, AI use must follow long-standing expectations for academic honesty, data privacy and responsible technology use

Now, students can use a limited number of approved tools, including Google Gemini and education-focused platforms with access varying by grade level

The district recently updated its Acceptable Use of Technology Policy, adding specific language around generative AI.

While AI tools are now allowed, and even encouraged, district leaders say the focus is on ethical and responsible use.

“Our acceptable use policy governs how students and staff access technology, what was not included in that policy was how do they also ethically use AI,” WSFCS Chief Academic Officer Paula Wilkins said. 

District leaders emphasize the update is not a brand-new policy, but rather an expansion of existing rules to reflect rapidly evolving technology.

“AI is the way of the world,” Wilkins said. 

Under Policy 6161, AI use must follow long-standing expectations for academic honesty, data privacy and responsible technology use.

Students and staff are also accountable for anything created with AI, including its accuracy and integrity.

The policy also clearly outlines what’s not allowed, such as using AI to cheat, misrepresent work, violate privacy or create misleading or harmful content.

District leaders say setting those guidelines were necessary before expanding access.

“Prior to February, students did not have access on our network to any of those (AI) platforms,” said Ashley McCormack, director of personalized and digital learning.

Now, students can use a limited number of approved tools, including Google Gemini and education-focused platforms, with access varying by grade level.

Younger students focus on learning what AI is, while older students begin using it in supervised settings.

Despite the new access, AI is not required in classrooms, and teachers are being trained before fully integrating it into lessons.

“We want educators to feel comfortable before they then introduce that to students,” Wilkins said. 

Students themselves have mixed feelings about the growing role of AI.

“I use AI when I’m struggling with a question, but I also feel like sometimes people are using it to just get everything done easier and quicker,” Carver High School student Steven Beasley said. 

Beasley said he’s had to scale back his own use after relying on it too heavily.

“It made me feel like I was kind of, you know, leaning back on the class like I’m like a dead weight,” Beasley said.

Carver High School teacher Nicole Westbury warns students not to depend on AI as a shortcut.

“I have a love-hate relationship with AI,” Westbury said. “I really want them to use their own thinking skills instead of using AI as a crutch.”

She also pointed out that AI isn’t always reliable.

“Sometimes AI gives you jargon that sounds right, but it’s not,” Westbury said. 

Still, district leaders say the goal isn’t to ban it, but to prepare students for a future where it’s unavoidable.

“We’re not building cheaters,” Wilkins said. “We’re building informed citizens that can leverage AI for the better good.” 

The message remains consistent: AI is just another tool, and like any tool, how it’s used matters.

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