The Absence of AI Policies is Creating Legal Risks for Schools

As generative AI quickly integrates into learning, the lack of standardized guidelines has left schools and students in uncertain territory. As an example, recently it’s been reported that parents are suing their child’s school after being disciplined for using AI on an assignment, despite no clear rules prohibiting it. While opinions differ on AI’s place in the classroom, one thing is clear: schools urgently need strong, transparent policies to protect academic integrity and set clear expectations for both students and instructors.

In this article we describe the implications of having unclear or no AI policy.

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Implications of an Unclear AI Policy

1. Legal problems

The absence of clear AI guidelines has led to real consequences for some schools. Recently, parents of a Massachusetts high school student took legal action after their son faced disciplinary measures for using AI in one of his assignments. The lawsuit highlights the risks schools face when AI policies are ambiguous, as inconsistent enforcement leaves students unsure of how to use AI appropriately while subjecting schools to potential legal challenges. 

As noted in Forbes and CBC articles discussing the lack of AI policies in education, experts indicate that in the absence of clear policies, schools may unintentionally set students up for misunderstandings and disciplinary conflicts, particularly as AI becomes more integrated into learning.

2. Falling behind in AI Literacy

Schools without clear AI policies risk leaving students unprepared for a future where AI skills are key. Some institutions are incorporating AI literacy, giving students practical skills they’ll need in higher education and beyond. Others, though, have vague or overly restrictive policies, missing out on opportunities that build adaptability and technical skills. Clear AI guidelines, whether no-AI, partial, or full use, aren't just about tech adoption; they bring consistency, protect academic integrity, and ensure all students have a fair shot at responsible AI engagement.

• No-AI policies encourage students to focus on tasks independently, developing critical thinking specific to each assignment. 
• Partial-use AI policies, on the other hand, allow students to use AI tools for refining grammar, spelling, or receiving constructive feedback on sentence structure. In these cases, instructors can specify which prompts are allowed and the boundaries of AI use. ‍
• Full AI use policies provide students unrestricted access, enabling in-depth interaction with AI tools to support their work comprehensively, guided by clear expectations from their instructors.

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3. Equity concerns among students

Another important concern raised by students themselves is equity. With the abundance of choices in AI engines, it’s impossible to know which engines students are using, whether paid or free, or the latest models or older versions. Accessing the best, latest engines often requires monthly subscriptions, ranging from $5 to $25. 

This puts students with socioeconomic challenges at a disadvantage, as they may not afford such expenses. Meanwhile, students in better financial situations benefit from these tools, gaining an upper hand in their studies and improving their AI literacy.

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‍Schools need a framework, not a blanket AI policy

For effective AI integration, institutions should implement a clear, institution-wide framework that is accessible to all students and staff. Instead of choosing between no-AI and full-AI methods, they should focus on getting more insights and details on how assignments are written. Looking at the final result is no longer an effective way to evaluate a student's work. It limits educators’ ability to tailor AI guidelines to fit different learning contexts and objectives. 

Policies must allow flexibility, enabling teachers to adjust AI use based on course relevance, while maintaining overall consistency across departments. Managing all AI policies on a unified platform is essential to streamline oversight, reduce fragmentation, and ensure control over how AI is utilized in different classes.

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Our approach

Rumi offers a comprehensive framework that helps institutions manage AI use effectively. As an AIAI platform, Rumi centralizes AI policy management, giving institutions the consistency of a single platform while allowing educators the flexibility to tailor guidelines down to each assignment. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for instructors to set, monitor, and adjust policies, creating a cohesive experience that supports both academic integrity and an improved educational experience for all.
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