AI policy changes get first read by the Radnor Township School Board

No discussion was conducted in passing of first read.

In the wake of an outcry from parents over a scandal regarding artificial intelligence (AI) generated inappropriate images of Radnor High School students, the Radnor Township School Board is introducing policy changes. 

The incident happened in December, and a letter from high school Principal Joseph MacNamara went out in January.

By February, outraged parents attended school board meetings to vent their ire and ask for changes. They asked for “clear protocols” for AI-generated content, additions to the district’s bullying and harassment policies, and more protection for victims.

They also criticized how school officials and Radnor police had communicated to the public about what had occurred. 

The board, without comment, approved a first read of the policies on bullying and cyberbullying, as well as harassment, on March 24. The final policies are expected to be adopted at its April meeting.

However, the policies were discussed at the board’s March 10 workshop meeting. 

Changes to the bullying policy include adding the prohibition of cyberbullying. It also added a definition of cyberbullying.  If the student’s behavior included possible criminal conduct, the district’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the police will be invoked. 

Actions might be “intentional viewing or knowing possession or control of child sexual abuse material or artificially generated child sexual abuse material, and transmission of sexually explicit images by a minor,” as well as cyberbullying, the policy states.

Off-campus behavior will be outlined in accompanying administrative regulations (ARs), it said.

The incident that began the furor over students’ use of AI occurred during a small gathering of Radnor High School students off school grounds. An investigation found that students used a personal cell phone to put images of other students into an app that appears to make them move and dance. The images in question were never discovered. 

Changes to the harassment policy will include “The non-consensual use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create, modify, distribute, or solicit sexualized, indecent, or intimate content involving another person is strictly prohibited and constitutes sexual harassment, as defined below. Harassment can be carried out by school staff, a student, or another person. It can occur in person or online, including through email, texts or messages, apps, or other technologies.”One unnamed juvenile was eventually charged with harassment in connection with the incident, according to Radnor Township police.