By the California State PTA Health & Community Concerns Commission
We all want our children to feel competent and connected at school. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming a part of everyday life much like cell phones, which have become essential to most of us. Today, those who understand how to use AI effectively and ethically have a clear advantage in both academics and the workplace.
Until recently, schools largely avoided AI. Now K-12 educators are beginning to explore how to integrate AI in meaningful ways that enhance learning. As parents and caretakers, we can support our students by helping them become comfortable with these powerful tools while remembering one key principle: people always decide. AI can provide information and guidance, but it is always up to the person to verify what it has produced and make the final decision about how to use it.
Here are some ways AI can be a helpful academic tool for families:
- Summarize large amounts of information and highlight key points.
- Simplify complex concepts, explain cause-and-effect relationships, and provide analogies and example models for learning.
- Verify facts and create study guides.
- Generate images, videos, or even music from text descriptions.
- Act as a tutor or conversation partner in a foreign language.
- Create quizzes or practice tests based on reading material.
- Support test preparation by pinpointing focus areas based on results of practice quizzes.
- Help students learn how to ask better questions (“Can you explain the mistake I made in my answer?”).
- Inspire writers by creating character images from their story details.
Want to help your family navigate the world of technology and AI with confidence? Check out National PTA’s PTA Connected for trusted resources, tips, and conversation starters for families. For those looking for a deeper dive, the book AI Made Easy for Parents by James McConihe is a helpful guide—especially for families with younger students.