ISTE Standards for AI in Education

Framework Overview

The ISTE Standards for AI in Education provide a comprehensive roadmap for leveraging artificial intelligence to transform learning, teaching, and leading. This framework builds upon ISTE's established standards while addressing the unique opportunities and challenges presented by AI technologies.

Core Mission: To empower educators and students to use AI as a lever for innovation in teaching and learning, while maintaining ethical standards and human-centered approaches to education.

🎯 The Five Pillars of AI Integration

PILLAR 1

AI Literacy & Fluency

Understanding how AI works, its capabilities, limitations, and impact on society.

Foundational AI concepts
Machine learning basics
Data literacy
Algorithmic thinking

PILLAR 2

Ethical AI Use

Applying ethical principles to AI selection, implementation, and evaluation.

Bias recognition and mitigation
Privacy and data protection
Transparency and explainability
Digital citizenship with AI

PILLAR 3

AI-Enhanced Pedagogy

Transforming teaching practices through thoughtful AI integration.

Personalized learning paths
Intelligent tutoring systems
Automated assessment
Adaptive content delivery

PILLAR 4

Creative AI Application

Using AI as a tool for innovation, problem-solving, and creative expression.

AI-assisted content creation
Computational creativity
Design thinking with AI
Cross-disciplinary projects

PILLAR 5

AI Leadership & Advocacy

Leading systemic change and advocating for responsible AI in education.

Policy development
Professional learning
Community engagement
Equity and access

📚 ISTE Standards for Students - AI Edition

Students

Educators

Leaders

Coaches

1. Empowered Learner with AI

1a. Students articulate personal learning goals and use AI tools to develop strategies to achieve them.

1b. Students understand how AI personalizes their learning experience and actively participate in shaping it.

1c. Students use AI responsibly to seek feedback and iterate on their learning process.

1d. Students understand AI's role in assessment and use it to demonstrate competency in various ways.

2. Digital Citizen in an AI World

2a. Students cultivate and manage their digital identity aware of AI's data collection and use.

2b. Students engage in positive, safe, legal, and ethical behavior when using AI.

2c. Students demonstrate understanding of AI bias and work to promote digital equity.

2d. Students manage their personal AI data and understand privacy implications.

3. Knowledge Constructor with AI

3a. Students evaluate AI-generated information for accuracy, bias, and credibility.

3b. Students use AI as a research assistant while maintaining academic integrity.

3c. Students synthesize AI-assisted research to construct new knowledge.

3d. Students properly cite AI contributions to their work.

4. Innovative Designer with AI

4a. Students use AI tools in the design process to generate ideas and solutions.

4b. Students collaborate with AI to create original works and innovative solutions.

4c. Students develop and test AI-enhanced prototypes.

4d. Students reflect on the role of AI in their creative process.

1. Learner - Educators as AI Learners

1a. Set professional learning goals to explore AI applications in education.

1b. Pursue professional interests by creating and participating in AI-focused PLNs.

1c. Stay current with AI research and apply evidence-based practices.

2. Leader - AI Leadership in Education

2a. Shape, advance, and accelerate a shared vision for AI integration.

2b. Advocate for equitable access to AI educational technology.

2c. Model responsible AI use for students, colleagues, and community.

3. Citizen - Digital Citizenship with AI

3a. Create experiences that ensure students understand AI ethics.

3b. Establish a culture of AI transparency and responsible use.

3c. Mentor students in safe, legal, and ethical AI practices.

4. Collaborator - AI-Enhanced Collaboration

4a. Use AI to enhance collaboration with colleagues and students.

4b. Partner with families to support student AI literacy at home.

4c. Create AI-enhanced learning experiences with experts and community.

5. Designer - AI-Integrated Learning Design

5a. Use AI to create differentiated and personalized learning experiences.

5b. Design AI-enhanced assessments that provide actionable feedback.

5c. Create learning environments that leverage AI appropriately.

6. Facilitator - Facilitating with AI

6a. Foster a culture where students use AI as a learning tool.

6b. Guide students to use AI for setting and achieving learning goals.

6c. Create opportunities for students to explore AI applications.

7. Analyst - AI-Powered Analytics

7a. Use AI analytics to understand and support student learning.

7b. Interpret AI-generated insights to guide instruction.

7c. Communicate AI-assisted assessment data with stakeholders.

1. Equity and Citizenship Advocate

1a. Ensure all students have equitable access to AI technologies.

1b. Model and promote ethical AI use across the organization.

1c. Address AI bias and promote inclusive AI practices.

2. Visionary Planner for AI

2a. Develop and communicate a shared vision for AI in education.

2b. Create strategic plans for AI implementation.

2c. Evaluate and iterate on AI initiatives.

3. Empowering Leader

3a. Empower educators to leverage AI effectively.

3b. Build capacity for AI integration through professional learning.

3c. Create conditions for AI innovation.

1. Change Agent for AI Integration

1a. Create a shared vision and culture for AI use.

1b. Facilitate equitable AI access across the learning community.

1c. Champion continuous improvement in AI practices.

2. Connected Learner about AI

2a. Model continuous learning about AI in education.

2b. Participate in AI-focused professional learning networks.

2c. Stay current with AI research and best practices.

3. Collaborator for AI Implementation

3a. Partner with educators to identify AI integration opportunities.

3b. Collaborate on AI-enhanced lesson design.

3c. Co-teach and co-learn AI integration strategies.

🎓 Implementation Roadmap

PHASE 1

Foundation (Months 1-3)

Assess current AI readiness and infrastructure
Form AI leadership team and establish governance
Conduct stakeholder engagement and needs assessment
Develop AI acceptable use policies
Begin foundational professional development

PHASE 2

Pilot (Months 4-6)

Select pilot groups (teachers and students)
Implement approved AI tools in controlled settings
Provide intensive coaching and support
Collect data and feedback
Refine policies and procedures

PHASE 3

Scale (Months 7-12)

Gradual rollout to all grade levels/departments
Expand professional development programs
Implement AI literacy curriculum for students
Establish ongoing support systems
Monitor and evaluate impact

PHASE 4

Optimize (Ongoing)

Continuous improvement based on data
Advanced AI integration projects
Share best practices and celebrate successes
Evolve with emerging AI technologies
Lead and contribute to broader AI in education community

📊 AI Competency Rubrics

Competency	Beginning	Developing	Proficient	Advanced
AI Literacy	Basic awareness of AI existence	Understands AI concepts	Applies AI knowledge	Creates with AI
Ethical Use	Follows AI rules	Understands AI ethics	Makes ethical AI decisions	Advocates for ethical AI
Integration	Uses AI tools when directed	Selects appropriate AI tools	Integrates AI meaningfully	Innovates with AI
Critical Thinking	Accepts AI output	Questions AI output	Evaluates AI critically	Improves AI systems
Collaboration	Works alongside AI	Collaborates with AI	Optimizes human-AI teams	Leads human-AI collaboration

🛠️ Essential Conditions for Success

🏗️

Infrastructure & Access

Reliable high-speed internet connectivity
1:1 device access for students and educators
Cloud computing resources for AI applications
Data storage and management systems
Cybersecurity measures for AI systems

👥

Human Capacity

Dedicated AI integration specialists
Ongoing professional development programs
Peer learning communities
Administrative support and buy-in
Student voice in AI implementation

📋

Policies & Procedures

Comprehensive AI acceptable use policy
Data privacy and security protocols
Academic integrity guidelines for AI
Equity and access provisions
Vendor vetting and approval processes

📚 Professional Learning Pathways

ISTE U AI Certification Program

Three-tier certification structure:

🥉 Bronze - AI Foundations (20 hours)

Introduction to AI in Education
Basic AI Tools and Applications
AI Ethics and Digital Citizenship
Getting Started with AI Integration

🥈 Silver - AI Practitioner (40 hours)

Advanced AI Tool Selection and Evaluation
Designing AI-Enhanced Learning Experiences
AI Assessment and Analytics
Leading AI Change in Your Context

🥇 Gold - AI Leader (60 hours)

Strategic AI Planning and Implementation
AI Policy Development and Governance
Building AI Capacity at Scale
Research and Innovation in AI Education

🌐 Global AI Education Network

Partner Organizations

UNESCO

AI competencies for students and teachers globally

World Economic Forum

Future of jobs and AI skills framework

OECD

AI principles and education policy guidance

MIT Media Lab

AI education research and resources

Stanford HAI

Human-centered AI in education

Google for Education

AI tools and curriculum resources

📥 Download Resources

Get the complete ISTE AI Framework package including rubrics, planning templates, and implementation guides.

Download Framework PDF Get Planning Templates Access Rubrics

Stay Connected

ISTE - International Society for Technology in Education
1914 Association Drive, Suite 200, Reston, VA 20191
iste@iste.org | 1-800-336-5191 | www.iste.org

© 2025 ISTE. This framework is licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0
You may share and adapt with attribution for non-commercial purposes.