New Brunswick plans AI curriculum for schools this fall amid opposition concerns
New Brunswick's Education Minister Claire Johnson announced Wednesday that the province will roll out an artificial intelligence curriculum for anglophone schools in September. The minister provided few specifics but said the government will examine "how those tools can be used in an ethical and responsible fashion."
A draft curriculum has been sent to stakeholders for feedback. Johnson said younger students would focus on AI awareness rather than direct use, with hands-on application coming at higher grade levels.
Opposition raises safety questions
Green Party MLA Megan Mitton expressed concern about kindergarten students using AI for "basic things that they should be learning to do with their brains." She warned against treating students "like guinea pigs" with experimental technology.
Progressive Conservative interim leader Glen Savoie opposed younger students using AI, arguing that independent thinking develops through traditional learning methods. "Part of what makes us human is our ability to think independently," he said.
Johnson responded that the K-12 curriculum does not mean all grade levels will use AI tools. "When we talk about the lower grade levels, we talk about awareness," she told reporters.
Some districts already moving forward
Several anglophone school districts have developed their own AI guidelines. Anglophone East has implemented risk-assessed tools with age restrictions and teacher oversight.
Jordan Smith, who helps teachers integrate AI in Anglophone East classrooms, said educators control how students interact with AI chatbots and can review all conversations. Teachers set parameters-such as language requirements for immersion classes-to keep students on track.
Smith cited a recent example where students studying civil rights activist Viola Desmond used a chatbot to conduct an interactive interview with her as a learning tool. She acknowledged concerns about AI but said ignoring the technology entirely risks falling behind.
"I'm also really hopeful about the opportunity that it gives us," Smith said.
For educators developing AI policies and practices, resources like AI for Education and the AI Learning Path for Teachers offer guidance on responsible implementation.
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