Winnipeg school divisions are preparing their own artificial‑intelligence guidelines as Manitoba officials weigh a ban on classroom chat‑bots for the upcoming 2026‑27 school year. The local boards are finalising rules while they wait for provincial direction on the proposed restriction.
The draft policies being worked on by the divisions aim to set clear expectations for the use of AI tools in classrooms, outline permissible applications, and establish safeguards for student privacy and data security. Administrators say the documents will address both current chatbot technologies and broader AI‑driven platforms that could appear in curricula.
Provincial leaders have signalled intent to prohibit the use of chat‑bots in teaching environments, prompting the Winnipeg divisions to act pre‑emptively. The ban is still under discussion, and officials plan to launch formal consultations on the use of AI chat‑bots and social‑media applications in schools within the next few months. Those consultations are expected to shape the final provincial framework that will apply to all Manitoba schools.
By developing their own guidelines now, Winnipeg’s school boards hope to align quickly with any forthcoming provincial rules and ensure a smooth transition into the fall 2026 term. The proactive approach reflects a broader trend of educators seeking to manage emerging technologies while protecting students and maintaining instructional integrity.