In San Diego's educational landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into classrooms is sparking both enthusiasm and concern.

At Point Loma High School, English teacher Jen Roberts incorporates AI tools like Brisk Boost to enhance student engagement.

Students read texts on one side of the screen while a chatbot poses questions aligned with learning objectives on the other.

Senior Taylor Ashton finds this method compelling, stating, "This forces me to process it by keeping me interacting with it."

However, not all parents share this enthusiasm.

A group has petitioned the San Diego Unified School District to limit screen time in classrooms, gathering nearly 1,200 signatures.

Their proposed resolution seeks to prohibit the use of generative AI tools in schools.

Roberts defends her approach, emphasizing that AI tools provide immediate feedback, allowing students to identify and address misunderstandings in real time.

She also highlights the use of MagicSchool, an AI program that generates prompts for writing assignments, aiding students who struggle to begin their work.

Senior Alfonso Jacinto acknowledges the temptation to misuse AI for homework but appreciates its utility in creating study guides for subjects like economics and statistics.

Privacy concerns are also at the forefront.

Research indicates that some AI companies use user interactions to train their models, raising questions about data collection from minors.

Roberts prioritizes student safety by selecting tools that do not sell data to third parties or use it for targeted advertising.

In response to these concerns, the San Diego Unified School District has implemented a phone-free school day policy to minimize distractions and promote mental well-being.

While this policy addresses cell phone use, the debate over screen time and AI tools in education continues.

As San Diego schools navigate the integration of AI, the challenge remains to balance technological innovation with the well-being and privacy of students.