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Ethics and AI — A starter guide for educators

Part 5 of an AI resource series for educators

This page helps educators explore the ethical use of AI in ways that uphold cultural values, learner rights, and trust in education.

This is guide 5 in a 6-part series from Ako Aotearoa, designed to help educators explore AI in education — safely, ethically, and in ways that reflect our values in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Each guide offers practical steps, real examples, and reflective tools to support your journey. Whether you’re just starting or deepening your practice, these resources are here to support you.

Navigating bias, transparency, and data sovereignty in Aotearoa classrooms.

Why ethics matters in AI-enabled education

What do we mean by ethics?

Ethics is about what’s right, fair, and safe — especially when power, data, or decision-making is involved. In education, ethics shapes how we build trust and uphold the mana of learners.

Why it matters for AI

AI tools are trained on massive datasets, often without cultural context. They can:

Repeat or amplify harmful bias
Make decisions we don’t fully understand ("black box" models)
Store and process learner data outside Aotearoa

Our values give us a compass

Rather than assuming one shared set of values, start by asking:

“What values guide me, my teaching, and my organisation’s decisions about technology?”

Many TEOs in Aotearoa draw on kaupapa Māori principles and institutional frameworks.
For example, Ako Aotearoa is guided by:

Whanaungatanga — Relationships and connectedness
Manaakitanga — Respect and care for others
Whakamanatanga — Uplifting the mana of learners
Māramatanga — Clarity and understanding
Pūmautanga — Integrity and excellence

Reflective Prompt:

“Would I feel comfortable if this AI tool made a decision about me — or my learners — without context or consent?”

Key ethical principles for AI in education

Principle	What it means in practice
Transparency	Make it clear when and how AI is used
Fairness	Don’t let AI reinforce existing bias
Accountability	Educators retain responsibility — not the algorithm
Data Sovereignty	Honour where and how learner data is stored or used
Agency	Let learners choose how they interact with AI tools

These principles draw from both global frameworks (like UNESCO) and local guidance, including Te Mana Raraunga, NZQA, and kaupapa Māori values. They aim to balance safety, fairness, and autonomy — especially for Māori and Pacific learners.

Reflective prompt:

Do these principles align with how we use AI in our organisation — or are there others we should name?

Aotearoa lens

In Aotearoa, ethical practice also means upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, supporting Māori data sovereignty, and ensuring learners — especially Māori and Pacific — have the right to understand, opt in, question, and critique.

Example:
If using Turnitin or Grammarly, clarify:

What’s uploaded?
Where is it stored?
Who sees it?

Common ethical dilemmas (Scenarios)

These scenarios are based on real questions and challenges raised by educators across Aotearoa. They’re not exhaustive — but they offer a starting point for reflection and kōrero.

You might ask:

What other dilemmas are arising in your context — and how are you navigating them?

Student uses ChatGPT to reword a paragraph. Is that support or plagiarism?
Consider context, intent, and whether attribution was offered. Did they learn, or shortcut?
AI tool generates quiz questions — but reinforces gender or cultural bias.
Test outputs before use. Invite student critique as part of the task.
An AI-powered app stores learner writing offshore.
Check privacy settings. Can data be anonymised or processed locally?

To guide discussion, try asking:

Who benefits?
Who is left out?
What would a learner say?

Reflective Tool:

Include a short ethics checklist or disclosure for each tool or task.

Resources to explore and use

Ethical Guidelines + Tools

Global + Local Frameworks

Printable resource references

Te Mana Raraunga. (2023). Māori Data Sovereignty Charter. | https://www.temanararaunga.maori.nz/tutohinga
Turnitin. (2024). AI Writing Detection Guide. https://guides.turnitin.com/hc/en-us/articles/22774058814093-AI-writing-detection-in-the-new-enhanced-Similarity-Report
UNESCO. (2021). Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000380455
Jisc. (2024). AI Empowering Inclusive Education. https://nationalcentreforai.jiscinvolve.org/wp/2024/01/09/ai-empowering-inclusive-education/
EDUCAUSE. (2024). Redesigning Assessments with Generative AI. https://events.educause.edu/annual-conference/2024/agenda/redesigning-assessments-in-the-age-of-generative-ai-separate-registration-is-required

Where to next?

Key ideas – Organisational policy and leadership | Go back to Practical tips

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