In a classroom at Washington Park High School in Newark, the usual buzz has been replaced by something different: focused debate. The topic isn’t algebra or world history. It’s artificial intelligence, and how to live with it responsibly. Teachers Mike Taubman and Scott Kern have introduced a new AI literacy course for 12th graders. Their idea is simple: AI is like a car. Students shouldn’t just sit in the back seat as passive users. They should learn how to sit in the driver’s seat and take control. On the classroom whiteboard, one question sets the tone: Are you driving the technology, or is the technology driving you? Learning to drive, not just ride Taubman describes the class as preparation for a driving test, but for AI. Eighteen-year-old Adrian Farrell says he uses AI tools to double-check his math homework. That, he feels, is being in control. On the other hand, Brianna Perez admits that when she listens to Spotify’s AI DJ, she’s in “passenger mode,’ letting the algorithm decide what she should hear next. The idea isn’t to ban AI. It’s to help students recognise when they’re using it intentionally and when it’s shaping their choices without them noticing. Chatbots that challenge students The course uses AI in creative ways. In a history lesson, teachers built a chatbot that pushes back on students’ arguments. When 17-year-old Alison presented her views on the causes of a riot, the chatbot responded, “I would ask you to think a little more about this.” Instead of giving answers, it challenged her reasoning. Alison says that the back-and-forth helped her sharpen her thinking. In another class, students are using AI for career simulations. Aniya, 17, who hopes to become a nurse, used AI tools to refine her project and make her ideas clearer. For Kern, however, there’s a boundary. “Whether students are talking among themselves or thinking independently, AI should never replace that,” he says. Tackling the tough questions The course doesn’t just focus on tools. It also dives into bigger issues, deepfakes, copyright concerns, bias, and intellectual property. Brianna believes the class is necessary. “Without something like this, we wouldn’t really know what’s coming in the future,” she says. The school is now considering making this AI “driving licence” course compulsory for all 12th-grade students. What is AI literacy? Teachers describe AI literacy as more than just knowing how to use a chatbot. It has three core parts: 1. Smart Prompting – Asking clear, thoughtful questions to get meaningful and accurate responses. 2. Risk Awareness – Spotting when AI might be wrong, biased, or misleading. 3. Creative Application – Using AI to build something new, whether that’s improving a project or even developing an app. Much like preparing a teenager for a real driving test, the goal is confidence with responsibility. That’s why the course has earned its nickname:
“AI’s driving licence.”
