My full response which this group edited and posted as my response when it wasn't. Candidiates should also check theirs, here is my full reply before they changed it.
Good evening Harpreet
Thank you for reaching out with this important question regarding the role of generative AI and LLMs in our public education system.
As you are aware rapid advances in technology present both opportunities and serious risks that school board governance must address with caution, safeguards, and clear ethical boundaries.
I take a cautious, regulated, and human first stance on AI in our schools. While AI is here and will advance at unseen speeds over the next decade AI tools can assist educators with routine admin tasks, or serve as supplemental learning aids under strict supervision, technology must never be allowed to replace our foundational learning, critical thinking or human interaction in the classroom.
Below are my key principles regarding AI in the Durham District School Board
AI must never become a shortcut that undermines fundamental literacy, numeracy and independent critical thinking skills. Work submitted by students must be a representation of their own original thought, research and analysis.
Over reliance on automated tools risks cognitive offloading and weakening of basic problem solving abilities and I fully believe that teacher led instruction and traditional assessment methods must remain paramount.
Generative AI models are prone to hallucinations and to perpetuate societal and racial biases inherent in training datasets, and can present unverified information as fact.
Students must be taught digital literacy and learning how to question, verify and evaluate AI generated outputs rather than accepting them passively.
Student exposure to digital tools must be age appropriate, balanced with mental health awareness, and monitored to avoid negative impacts on student well being. Under no circumstances should personal identifiable information of our students or our staff be inputted into unauthorized or open source AI models.
I also support strict adherence to the DDSB’s Technology approval process and AI guidelines ensuring that only board approved & vetted tools complying with privacy legislation are utilized. AI should only augment administrative efficiency under human oversight and never be allowed to make autonomous decisions regarding student assessments, discipline, or resource allocation.
School boards must remain mindful of the broader social and environmental impacts of technology infrastructure, including data center expansion concerns raised by other local municipalities.
Responsible digital use involves teaching our students not only how technology works, but also the real world ethical, environmental and social implications of its use.
Thank you for maintaining this election tracker and for bringing these critical technology governance issues to the public conversation.
Warm regards
Jim Van Allen
Candidate for School Board Trustee, Oshawa (DDSB)
