[Info. File] MEXT Publishes Guidelines on Using Generative AI in Schools

Based on the MEXT's “Guidelines on the Use of Generative AI in Primary and Secondary Education (ver. 2.0)”

In December 2024, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) published the "Guidelines for the Utilization of Generative AI in Elementary and Secondary Education (ver2.0)" (hereinafter referred to as the Guidelines).

The Guidelines evaluate that generative AI is capable of producing useful output and, depending on how it is used, can be a tool that assists, extends, and expands human capabilities and possibilities. Furthermore, anticipating its future use in everyday life, the Guidelines advocate for the need for students to deepen their understanding of generative AI and acquire appropriate usage methods at

the school level. On the other hand, it is known that generative AI, by its very nature, carries risks such as erroneous output (hallucination) derived from learned information and the regeneration of biases such as prejudice and discrimination. The Guidelines ask teachers to utilize generative AI in their work while taking these risks into account, and to instruct students to use the output of generative AI only as a reference, and ultimately to make their own judgments.

From 2023, generative AI pilot schools have been designated, and the results of the questionnaires and analyses conducted at the end of the academic year have been published. The results from the 2023 academic year revealed that students may be enhancing their motivation and creativity by experimenting and trying to obtain the intended output from the generative AI. On the other hand, it was also observed that there were cases where students blindly accepted the generative AI's answers or were unable to appropriately select when to use it. Based on this, the need for appropriate guidance from teachers and the development of a supportive environment has been raised. ("Previous Initiatives Regarding Generative AI in Primary and Secondary Education")

Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), "Past Initiatives on Generative AI in Primary and Secondary Education Stage" (文部科学省「初等中等教育段階における生成AIに関するこれまでの取り組み」), p. 10 (author’s partial adaptation).

As key points for using generative AI in schools, the Guidelines highlight: (1) appropriate use with safety in mind, (2) ensuring information security, (3) protection of personal information, privacy, and copyrights, and (4) ensuring fairness. They recommend that teachers themselves gain a hands-on grasp of both the conveniences and the concerns of generative AI and translate that into use aligned with these points. They also call on boards of education to support classroom practice by developing an Education Information Security Policy and organizing training.

Source: Created by the author

(Published with additions and revisions in the February 2025 issue of "EN-ICHI FORUM")

Education Issue briefs and Researches