Kalamazoo Public Schools Brings AI Into Classroom While Warning Parents About Risks

KPS Implements AI Tools After Vetting Process, Hosts Seminars on Digital Parenting

Kalamazoo Public Schools is moving forward with artificial intelligence in its classrooms while simultaneously educating parents about the risks and ethical implications of AI chatbots for young people.

The district has selected Magic School AI, a program that protects student data and privacy, after a thorough vetting process. Teachers can use the tool to create interactive learning experiences including study bots, quiz features, text rewriting tools, and character chat functions.

"It's been interesting to watch, because there was great resistance and then finally acceptance," Alex Miller, Kalamazoo Public Schools Coordinator of Instructional Technology said.

Miller is tasked with helping teachers and students become AI literate. With AI tools, students can drive their own learning in personalized ways that match their individual needs and learning styles.

"I've devoted my life to the struggle for equality and justice for all people, regardless of the color of their skin," the AI chatbot said when responding to a question Miller asked during a demonstration.

The tool allowed second graders to talk to book characters and ask historical figures questions as part of research assignments. Miller said it enables different levels of engagement that were not possible before.

Parents Attend Seminar After Concerns About Personal Questions

The program comes amid growing national concerns about AI chatbots being used by children outside of school for emotional support and therapy.

A recent report in Jama found about 13 percent of young people now use AI chatbots for mental health advice. In a different survey, 44 percent said they would rather talk with a chatbot than family or friends.

Parent Mustafa Nazari attended the Kalamazoo Public Schools Parenting in the Digital World seminar after his children were asked personal questions by an AI chatbot at home.

"AI was asking a lot of different kinds of questions about her name, her age, all these things," Nazari said.

According to a 2026 Pew Research Center poll, just over half of U.S. teens said they have used chatbots for help with schoolwork, and 12 percent have gotten emotional support from these tools.

"That's true, because AI is very soft and AI is very supportive, not only for the kids, even I heard about the adults," Nazari said.

Schools Taking Proactive Approach To Mental Health Concerns

Miller said Kalamazoo Public Schools is taking a proactive approach, teaching students to think critically about how they engage with AI as a companion.

The district is emphasizing red flags for parents to watch, including children who start to pull away from the outside world, have an overreliance on the tool for decision making or homework, or use it constantly as it could indicate an addiction.

Miller said oversight is essential, especially when it comes to mental health. He said schools have heard terrible stories of students getting bad advice and making really bad decisions.

"It's our goal to prevent that," Miller said.

Experts Warn AI Chatbots Cannot Replace Human Connection

Mental health experts caution that AI chatbots can miss emotional cues, reinforce harmful beliefs, or fail to safeguard users in crisis situations.

"It is overall very generic. It does not understand the context of your life, your lived experience, your unique situation and background, something that only a trained therapist through interaction, in real time, with somebody would say. You can tell so much about a person face to face," Dr. Sue Varma, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist said.

Nazari expressed satisfaction that Kalamazoo Public Schools is addressing the issue early. He said children should be raised to control what is right and what is wrong when using all these platforms.

Teens View AI Impact More Positively Than Negatively

Especially when a Pew Research Center poll finds teens tend to view the impact of AI on their own lives more positively than negatively, the district believes preparation is key.

The seminar provided parents with practical guidance on navigating the digital world alongside their children as AI becomes increasingly integrated into education and daily life.

Kalamazoo Public Schools continues to balance the benefits of AI tools in education with responsible oversight and parental education about potential risks.