Our guiding question for IMAGINE is, “How might we support schools in developing AI policies that foster character development and address gaps in adults' understanding of the ways teens use AI?” We aim to answer this question with empathy and intellectual humility, and to motivate educators, administrators, and technologists to do the same. We will involve youth in every step of our process to research and design resources that go beyond issues of academic integrity to address a fuller spectrum of character virtues.
Phase 1: Learning Through Listening
We asked 1500+ youth: “What's one thing adults should know about teens and AI?” Their answers reveal uses like using AI “bc we are lonely” and “bc real people are mean and judging sometimes and ai isn’t.” We will systematically co-interpret these data with youth, ground findings in established literature, and propose an empirically-based, field-guiding framework on teen AI use. In parallel, we will conduct a national survey with educators to inform a landscape analysis of school policies and educator pain points.
Phase 2: Co-Designing with Youth, Educators, and Technologists
We will host a series of participatory design workshops with youth, educators, technologists, and “creative agitators.” Workshops will focus on specific AI dilemmas and directly lead to a project outputs (e.g., policies, activities, and suggestions for educational technologies).
Phase 3: Empowering Decision Makers
We will synthesize lessons learned to develop and pilot two professional development programs for decision makers in the educational space – educators and technologists – that use resources created in Phase 2. We will evaluate the pilots and develop a plan for scaling the programs.
IMAGINE responds to a critical need for school AI guidelines grounded in character development and youth voice. It will empower youth, foster moral imagination, and support digital agency as AI transforms education and the socioeconomic landscape.
