When My Daughter Said She Wasn’t Allowed to Use AI for School

At the start of the last school year, my middle schooler came home and announced, “We’re not allowed to use AI.” The school hadn’t explicitly banned it; she had simply interpreted “don’t cheat” as “don’t use.”

It struck me how easily a well-intentioned message can get muddled. It’s often simpler to say don’t than to explain how, which can make it harder for kids to understand and explore a world where AI is already everywhere.

Guiding Responsible Use

Instead of just saying “okay,” I helped my daughter explore ways to use AI responsibly—ways that supported learning without undermining academic integrity. We turned her notes into podcasts to make the most of the drive to and from school, checked her math reasoning step by step after she had attempted it on her own, and experimented with approaches that guided learning rather than giving away answers.

Watching the School Grow

A few months later, the school did a complete 180. They hosted a Middle School AI Day, opening conversations about AI’s presence in our daily lives, as well as its capabilities, limitations, and responsible use. What had started as confusion turned into empowerment, and restriction became guidance. It was exciting to witness this evolution in real time—teachers, students, and parents figuring it out together.

Growing With AI

This year at my daughter’s school, clear policies outline proper versus improper AI use, and the conversation has shifted from don’t to how.

The lesson: learning to use AI responsibly builds judgment, trust, and practical skills. This isn’t just about homework. It’s a reminder that approaching AI with curiosity and responsible exploration, rather than fear, can lead to better learning and outcomes.

The views expressed here are Candice's and not those of any organization she is affiliated with.