Supporting Your Team in Using AI Responsibly
As AI tools become more widely available, students may be eager to use them as part of their app development. As a Mentor, you don’t need to be an AI expert, but you do have an important role in guiding students to think critically and ethically about when, how, and why they use AI tools.
Our Stance on AI
Technovation encourages students to explore how technology, including AI, can solve real-world problems. It’s important that the development of future technologies like AI includes input from diverse global perspectives, including girls and women.
We also recognize that the use of AI raises important ethical, creative, and privacy considerations.
Below are the core guidelines for using AI within our program:
AI is optional. Teams are not required to use AI tools in their projects.
When used, AI should be a tool to enhance learning and creativity, not replace them.
Student work should only be shared with AI tools if the student has given explicit permission.
Your Role as a Mentor
Just like the rest of the program, mentoring around AI is a chance to learn together. Your role is to guide, ask questions, and encourage curiosity and responsible innovation.
Here are some ways to do that:
Ask Questions to Spark Critical Thinking
Here are just a few questions you can ask students as they explore AI tools and how to use them in their project:
- “What part of your project do you think an AI tool could help with?”
- “How can you make sure the information the AI gives you is accurate?”
- “What will you take away from this task if AI helps you complete it?”
Support Students in Forming Their Own Views on AI
One of your most meaningful roles is to help students develop their own opinions about AI.
Stay neutral. You don’t need to share your own stance unless asked, and even then, invite dialogue rather than debate.
Create space for discussion. Some students may be eager to use AI, others cautious. All perspectives are welcome.
Promote curiosity. Encourage teams to explore what AI can and can’t do, and how it aligns (or doesn’t) with their values and goals.
Guide Responsible Behavior
Help students understand why they should not:
- Copy AI-generated content without credit
- Edit AI outputs to reflect their voice.
- Use AI to complete tasks they don’t understand.
How AI Can be Helpful
AI can be a useful tool to support student’s learning and app development. View more about how students can use AI in their projects here. Below are just a few ways they can use AI in their project:
- Explore Problems and Solutions
- Refine Ideas and Check for Similar Solutions
- Generate UI Mockups or Logos
- Ask how blocks or code work
- Get coding suggestions or fix errors
When AI Should be Avoided
- We discourage teams from using AI to:
- Submitting AI-generated content without review or edits
- Making decisions based on AI output without checking facts or sources
- Replacing team collaboration or problem-solving with AI
- Sharing identifying or sensitive student or volunteer information
I still have a question
You can always reach out to Technovation’s Volunteer Engagement Team on Slack or at volunteers@technovation.org.
