School
Artificial intelligence has arrived in schools — often faster than school authorities, head teachers and teachers could set rules for it. Pupils use freely available chat programs for homework, teachers experiment with tools for lesson preparation and marking, and parents ask what happens to their children's data.
This section sorts out the key questions: How do you use an AI assistant in a privacy-compliant way? What do self-hosted models offer? Where does AI really save teachers time? What do digital classrooms need? And what should pupils learn about AI?
The legal notes refer to the GDPR and the EU AI Act. Schools are additionally subject to the school and data protection laws of their state or canton; in individual cases, ask the responsible authority. The content is not legal advice.
An AI assistant for schools: using it in line with the GDPR
An AI assistant for schools complies with data protection rules when the school, as controller, defines which data are processed, processing takes place in the EU on a valid legal basis, as little personal data as possible reaches the model, and a data processing agreement is in place. On top of that come requirements of the AI Act, such as the ban on emotion recognition in educational institutions, as well as protection of minors and control by teachers. Freely available chat programs generally do not meet these conditions out of the box.
ReadSelf-hosted and offline AI models in schools
Self-hosted AI models run on computers controlled by the school, its authority or a commissioned service provider, rather than on a third-party cloud service; offline models even work without an internet connection. Their biggest advantage is control over data: inputs do not leave your own environment. In return they are usually smaller and less capable than large cloud models and need hardware, maintenance and expertise.
ReadTaking the load off teachers: where AI really saves time
AI saves teachers time above all in preparation: worksheets, exercises at different difficulty levels, summaries, quiz questions and explanations can be drafted quickly and then checked. It can also help with feedback on pupils' writing and with administrative texts. Assessments and decisions about pupils should stay with the teacher, though, and personal data belong only in systems approved for that purpose.
ReadDigital classrooms: what they need to deliver
A digital classroom is a protected online space in which a teacher provides material, sets assignments, collects submissions, gives feedback and lets the class work together. It complements face-to-face teaching and carries remote teaching. What matters is simple operation, clear structure, data protection in line with the school's rules, and supporting the teaching rather than dictating it.
ReadAI literacy for pupils: what they should learn
AI literacy for pupils means having a basic understanding of how AI systems work, using them sensibly for their own learning and checking their output critically. That includes knowing that language models calculate probabilities and can be wrong, handling sources and one's own data, and ethical questions such as bias, authorship and responsibility. It is best taught across subjects and through concrete tasks.
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