Sapphire Core Institute
Frequently asked questions
Our position on AI, how the training will work, and how to check we're a real nonprofit.
Our position
What we think about AI in classrooms
Are you telling me to ban AI?
No. Students have it on their phones, so a ban mostly teaches them to hide it, and the honest ones end up penalized. We'd rather teach judgment: when a tool is helping with the work, and when it's doing the thinking the assignment was supposed to build.
Are you against students using AI?
No. A student who has learned to use it well is better off than one who was only told not to. But uses vary a lot. Having a model check your grammar is a long way from having it write the essay.
Do you recommend AI detection tools?
No. A 2023 Stanford study found that popular detectors flagged essays by non-native English writers as AI-generated far more often than essays by native speakers, and that a reworded prompt got model output past them. OpenAI withdrew its own detector the same year, citing low accuracy. Our article on detectors has the details and sources.
Then how do I tell whether a student used AI?
Often you can't, and a guess shouldn't decide a grade. It works better to ask for things a model doesn't have: drafts collected along the way, evidence from your own class discussion, or a two-minute conversation about a claim in the essay. The detectors article goes through these.
The training
What to expect if you take part
What will the training cover?
How to use AI at school safely and ethically, and how to avoid producing slop. It's for teachers, students, and school staff. We're still writing the details with volunteer teachers. What We Do has the current status.
Who writes it?
We do, with volunteer teachers. Nobody has settled on best practices for AI in schools yet, us included, so teachers help decide what goes in before it becomes a course. Get Involved explains how to take part.
Can it count toward my professional development hours?
We plan to document participation hours. We aren't an accredited PD provider and won't claim to be, so ask your district whether hours from an outside organization count.
Does my school have to sign anything?
Not for you to get involved or try the exercise. An agreement would only come up if we deliver training at your school, and that stage hasn't started.
How will the training be delivered?
We haven't decided. Right now we're planning a mix of short self-paced material and live sessions, and the volunteer teachers will help settle it.
Getting involved
What happens when you reach out
What happens after I leave my email?
One of us will email you personally. We'll ask a little about what you teach and what you'd like to help with, and go from there. Nothing is automated, and there's no commitment.
How much time does it take?
As much or as little as you want. Sending us one worksheet helps. So does reading a draft now and then. We'll never pile work on you.
Do I have to be a classroom teacher?
No. Teachers come first, but librarians, instructional coaches, administrators, researchers, and anyone else who wants to support the work are all welcome.
Can I change my mind?
Of course. Reply to any email from us and ask, and we'll delete your address.
It starts with your email address. Get involved
The organization
Checking that we are legitimate
Are you a company?
No. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We don't sell tools, software, or subscriptions, and this site carries no advertising.
How can I check that you are a registered nonprofit?
Search for our EIN, 41-4847911, in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Our status and mailing address are also on the About Us page.
Get involved
Come help us build this
Whether you teach, lead a school, or just care how AI shows up in classrooms, we'd really like to meet you. Leave your email and one of us will reach out personally to hear what you'd like to do.