Like it or not, artificial intelligence has made its way into Vermont classrooms. Some students use it to summarize class discussions, research an essay topic or troubleshoot homework. Yet the technology has its own set of risks. It can be used to cheat on assignments, create and spread misinformation, or produce deep-fake images. Much of the discussion about AI in education involves so-called large language models such as ChatGPT. The programs are trained on massive amounts of text from the internet and, in response to questions or prompts, can spit out text or visuals that appear as if they were created by humans. Schools in the state are starting to address the rapidly changing technology, but the response has been slow. As of last year, just three Vermont districts had some sort of AI policy, while 50 said they had none, according to a technology survey administered by the state Agency of Education. Districts are trying to catch up. In interviews with Seven Days, educators who are thinking about AI said they are crafting classroom curricula that teach responsible use of the technology. With proper guidance, they believe, students can harness AI in ways that improve their ability to learn and retain information. Meanwhile, three entrepreneurs have launched a nonprofit, aiVermont, that aims to teach educators about the technology and provide them with ideas for using it in the classroom. Artificial intelligence "is here and we have to deal with it," said Peter Drescher, Essex Westford School District's director of technology and innovation. "This is going to change teaching and learning, and [educators] do need to change." Essex Westford is one of the districts at the forefront of the conversation. While some schools block students from using large-language models or employ AI detection tools to try to catch cheating, Essex Westford is focused on teaching educators and students to use the tools effectively and ethically. For example, Drescher said, school staff protect student data by not entering names or other personal information when using AI-powered platforms. The programs typically collect and retain information, so it's imperative to take precautions, he said. Some teachers are also designing assignments to make cheating difficult. Rather than just grading a final draft of an essay, for example, they might require students to show their work and give more weight to the different stages of the writing process, Drescher said. Educators are also working…