Fulton County students will only be allowed to use district-approved artificial intelligence tools under a new policy the board adopted Aug. 20.

The Fulton County Board of Education approved Board Policy IFBI at its first regular meeting of the 2026-27 school year. The policy permits AI tools only when the district has vetted and approved them, requires human oversight of all AI use, and prohibits what the district calls inappropriate or harmful applications, according to the FCS Board Bulletin.

Staff remain responsible for AI-assisted work. That includes student assignments and operational decisions.

The board said it aims to establish expectations for responsible AI use while protecting privacy, security and academic integrity, Fulton Neighbor reported. The district said it will monitor AI usage to maintain authenticity in student and teacher work.

The policy had been under review since at least May 5, when it first appeared as a work-session topic. Chief Strategy and Technology Officer Joe Phillips presented AI tools as part of the district's technology strategy that month, describing plans for a centralized AI data environment tied to Capital Plan 2032.

The AI vote came weeks after the district rolled out a separate technology restriction. On Aug. 3, the first day of school, Fulton banned personal devices for students in kindergarten through eighth grade during school hours.

"If students need technology at Fulton County schools we actually furnish them devices to use, but we are valuing face-to-face instruction, building relationships between our students and our teachers," Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney told Atlanta News First on Aug. 3 when discussing the device ban.

The AI policy was one of three the board approved Aug. 20. Members also revised graduation requirements under Board Policy IHF and rescinded Board Policy ECG on equipment and supplies records, North Fulton Today reported.

Fulton County Schools serves more than 85,000 students across the district, which prepared more than 100,000 student devices and integrated new digital learning applications for the current school year.

The board's next work session is Thursday, Sept. 10, at the North Learning Center in Sandy Springs.