Artificial
Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence, better known as AI, is a rapidly evolving technology. The information found here was accurate as of January 2025.



AI is the ability of a computer to think, to learn and to complete tasks like a human. AI is now widely accessible to the public and all of the major internet browsers offer free AI guided search engines. Generative AI, or AI that can produce content when prompted, is also publicly available and there are free versions of many content generating systems.



While AI offers some benefits for both instructors and learners, it also creates challenges for all types and methods of teaching and assessment.



As an instructor, it is possible to use AI to create or adapt content, plan lessons and build activities. Some AI programs can even help you build H5Ps that you can upload on Avenue. Instructors can use AI to help learners practice pronunciation, practice conversations with bots, correct their grammar in writing, find answers to questions and so on. Instructors must review all AI generated resources carefully to make sure they are relevant and accurate.



Learners can also use AI in many ways: to take notes, create summaries for reading or listening activities, generate content, edit their own writing and so on. However, these activities don’t always align with the PBLA learning cycle of skills development and collecting evidence. Many of these uses are not compatible with academic integrity or plagiarism policies, or workplace codes of conduct. Learners must understand that it is their responsibility to ensure their work meets those standards and there can be negative consequences when they do not. Instructors can address the topic of AI directly with Stage II learners using lessons such as Artificial Intelligence or AI Generated Content.


As an instructor, you can consider the following: 

• Does my organization have an academic integrity policy that includes AI? If yes, are my learners aware of this policy? If not, do we need a policy?
• How can I use AI to support the creation of level-appropriate content and activities?
• How can I introduce and model responsible use of AI in the classroom or on Avenue?
• How can I introduce and model responsible use of AI outside the classroom or on Avenue for practice?
• How can I identify when AI created content is submitted?

As AI rapidly evolves, you and your organization need to consider how best to address these questions and how to help learners navigate the benefits and challenges of AI.



Academic integrity or plagiarism policies are common in education settings in Canada but they are not universally used around the world. Learners may be unfamiliar with the concepts of plagiarism, sourcing and citation. These concepts should be introduced in a level appropriate manner. AI is rapidly evolving and considerations for its responsible use in education must be regularly revised and updated.