We are pleased to announce the release of a major new resource from TIRF — AI Ethics: Policy Guidance for Language Education. The paper, authored by TIRF Trustee Michael Carrier, is now available on our website to download for free. This comprehensive framework offers practical, accessible guidance on the ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in language education. The paper is designed to help educators, learners, administrators, and institutions thoughtfully navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by AI technologies in language teaching and learning.

As GenAI tools become more prevalent in classrooms and educational settings, questions about academic integrity, pedagogical quality, equity, privacy, and responsible use have become increasingly urgent. This new TIRF policy guidance responds directly to those needs, offering a clear explanation of what GenAI is and how it can support teaching and learning, while also outlining ethical principles, sample policies, and implementation strategies tailored specifically for language education contexts.

What makes this paper especially valuable is its practical orientation: It provides ready-to-use examples of acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, a set of ethical principles to guide decision-making, and policy templates that administrators and departments can adapt for their own settings. The guidance also includes pedagogical notes and implementation ideas to help teachers and students integrate AI tools in ways that enhance learning without compromising critical thinking, academic integrity, or inclusion.

For teachers, this framework offers concrete support for developing classroom policies, teaching AI literacy, and leveraging AI tools to enrich lesson planning and learner engagement without over-reliance on automation. For students, it helps build awareness of the benefits and limitations of AI, encouraging responsible use that respects academic standards and personal learning goals. Administrators and policymakers will find in it a foundation for institutional policies that promote ethical AI use while safeguarding learner rights and equity.

We believe this guidance will be a key resource for the language education community as we collectively confront the evolving technological landscape and work to ensure that AI serves as an empowering force rather than a source of unintended harm. Visit the link below to read and download the full paper — and join the conversation on Facebook and LinkedIn over the next several months, as we post news about this paper’s publication and encourage supporters to share their views. Together, let’s shape the future of ethical AI in language education.

Read the full AI Ethics: Policy Guidance for Language Education paper here:
https://www.tirfonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/TIRF_AI-EthicsPolicyGuidanceLanguageEducationFINAL.pdf