NAfME Releases Guidance for AI in Music Education
Over the past year, I had the distinct honor of serving on the NAfME AI Task Force along with a stellar group of fellow music educators. Our charge was to help provide clear guidance on the what, why and how of Generative Artificial Intelligence in music education. We met several times as a group and then we all contributed to the final document that can be downloaded HERE. That document is titled Guiding Principles, Frameworks, and Applications for AI in Music Education and it was released today (July 29, 2025). This document offers a comprehensive roadmap for music educators navigating the rise of AI in the classroom. It outlines ethical, instructional, and practical considerations for AI integration. Organized into sections including "Create," "Perform," "Respond," "Assess," and "Productivity," it emphasizes both the promise and perils of AI use in music education.
I had the pleasure of writing the section on Assessment (p. 24), focusing on What AI Can (and Can’t) Do for Music Assessment, AI Tools, Performance Assessment Software, Sight Reading Software, Ear Training Software, Practical Ideas for AI-Powered Assessment, How Chatbots Can Can Help with Assessment?, Making Assessment More Accessible for Everyone, and Things to Keep in Mind.
Guiding Principles, Frameworks, and Applications for AI in Music Education also highlights AI’s potential to foster creativity andincreasing accessibility, all while urging educators to remain vigilant about issues like privacy, bias, and intellectual property. The framework encourages thoughtful, student-centered adoption of AI tools that enhance—not replace—human creativity, pedagogy, and connection in music learning. NAfME positions this guide as a living document to support responsible, reflective, and inclusive AI practice.
Special thanks to Deb Confredo and Scott Sheehan for inviting me to participate on this Task Force. I am truly hopeful that our final document serves as a useful document for the road that lies ahead.