Great Decisions High School: AI + Education

As artificial intelligence reshapes education and the world beyond, high school teachers have a powerful opportunity to help students think critically about the tools they’re already using. Great Decisions: AI + Education, a free resource from the Foreign Policy Association, is designed specifically for classroom use—and it’s ready to plug into your curriculum.

This issue dives into timely topics like:

  • How generative AI (like ChatGPT) is changing the way students research, write, and think
  • The ethical challenges of deep fakes and algorithmic bias
  • Real student innovators using AI for social good
  • Debates over whether AI helps or hinders learning

What It Offers Educators:

  • Balanced, debate-style content that encourages students to weigh multiple perspectives
  • Discussion questions that promote collaboration, argumentation, and evidence-based reasoning
  • Short readings that can be used as bell-ringers, homework assignments, or writing prompts
  • A digital “sandbox” approach—helping students experiment with AI tools in thoughtful, structured ways
  • Opportunities to integrate media literacy, civics, and digital ethics across subject areas

Ways to Use It in the Classroom:

  • Debate & Discussion: Assign students to teams and have them argue for or against AI in education using the debate sections.
  • Critical Thinking Prompts: Use the “Now It’s Your Turn to Make Great Decisions” section as journal entries or group discussions.
  • Project-Based Learning: Encourage students to create their own ethical AI guidelines, app ideas, or awareness campaigns about deep fakes.
  • Cross-Curricular Collaboration: Partner with English, social studies, or media teachers to explore AI from multiple perspectives.
  • Writing Support: Use the article’s content to launch a unit on using AI as a writing coach—discussing when and how it’s appropriate.

Whether you’re an IT teacher exploring the latest tech or an English teacher tackling media literacy and research ethics, this resource helps you meet students where they are—and guide them to where they need to go.

Great Decisions High School: AI + Education cover