Broward County Public Schools has launched Broward Powered by AI, a new website that centralizes information about how the district is using artificial intelligence in classrooms and administration. The district, one of the largest in the United States, said the resource addresses growing questions from families, educators, and staff about AI's role in education.
The site, available at browardschools.ai, outlines AI policies, approved tools, student access levels, and privacy protections. It also includes opportunities for community feedback.
Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn said the site is a direct response to stakeholder concerns about the technology. "We understand that introducing a new technology can raise questions and concerns among District stakeholders," Hepburn said. "Broward Powered by AI allows us to address those concerns by providing one source for answers, resources and information about why and how BCPS is adopting artificial intelligence."
Five commitments and one guiding principle
The district built its AI approach around five commitments: transparency, trust, education, engagement, and accountability. It has also adopted the principle "Human Intelligence First, Artificial Intelligence Second," emphasizing that AI should support teaching, not replace teachers or human relationships.
BCPS said AI can support teaching, personalization, and efficiency. It will not be used to make educational decisions, independently grade students, replace curriculum, or substitute for relationships between teachers and students. Teachers retain responsibility for instruction, feedback, and decisions. Student-facing tools must be teacher-directed, monitored, and tied to a clear instructional purpose.
For educators interested in AI training for their own classrooms, the district's approach aligns with broader AI for Education conversations about keeping humans in charge of decisions while using tools for efficiency.
Who gets access to AI - and which tools
Access depends on grade level. Elementary students in kindergarten through fifth grade do not currently have access to district-approved, student-facing AI tools. They may receive instruction in AI literacy and digital citizenship, but that is separate from using AI applications.
Students in grades six through 12 can use Khanmigo through Khan Academy and HMH Writable/Revision Aid in teacher-monitored settings. BCPS emphasized that MagicStudent - the student-facing part of MagicSchool - is not available to students yet. Teachers are undergoing training before any potential future use.
Teachers may use approved teacher-facing AI tools like MagicSchool for tasks such as lesson planning, instructional resources, and differentiation. Using district AI tools remains optional for staff and must follow district guidance and required training.
For those considering how to integrate AI into their practice, the district's training requirements mirror the kind of hands-on learning covered in AI for Teachers courses that focus on practical classroom application.
An approved-tools-only model
BCPS follows an "approved-tools-only" model. Staff and students should not enter information into tools that have not undergone district review. Approved tools include Microsoft Copilot for staff in the district's protected environment, Khanmigo for secondary students, and Prisms VR for math and science instruction.
Each technology must pass a privacy, security, and accessibility review before appearing on the approved list. The process includes a data privacy agreement with a FERPA check, a security review, and accessibility testing.
Why this matters for educators
The district demonstrates a concrete protocol for vetting AI tools that other school systems may follow. Educators working in or with districts developing AI policies should study Broward's five commitments, its grade-level access tiers, and its "Human Intelligence First" framework as a template for defining human authority over AI in classrooms.
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