This webinar is part of the OLC Accelerate 2025 Best-in-Track webinar series!
As generative AI tools become more common in classrooms, the questions about copyright and fair use are getting harder to ignore. There is not one clear, do-it-all rule for education. AI tools are reshaping how we teach and learn, especially in online and hybrid environments, but they’re also creating new legal and ethical challenges. Many educators and institutions are unsure what’s actually allowed when it comes to using AI-generated content or relying on tools that were trained on copyrighted material.
Educators are already using AI in a range of ways: to build custom lesson materials, draft quizzes and rubrics, support writing assignments, and even help with course design. These uses are often well-intentioned and can save time. But legal complications arise when AI outputs start to closely resemble copyrighted content, or when the tools being used were trained on that content without permission.
This webinar explores some of the big issues at stake and offers a practical way to think about AI in education. The focus is on U.S. copyright law, especially the fair use doctrine, and how it applies when generative AI enters the mix. It also looks at what institutions can do right now to set clear expectations and avoid legal or ethical missteps.
Intended Audience:
The recommendations are relevant for K–12, higher ed, and professional training settings
Key Takeaways:
- Learn how fair use applies to AI in classroom settings
- Review current court cases and federal guidance that could reshape the law
- Consider strategies for school- or department-level policies
- Leave with checklists, rubrics, and sample language you can use or adapt
Please Note: While attending the webinar live is free for OLC members and non-members, on-demand recordings will be available post-webinar for Professional and Institutional Members only. Consider becoming an OLC member for access to these and many other great benefits!
Speaker Bio
Wendy Wallberg, JD, LL.M.
Associate Professor – Lynn University
Wendy Wallberg, JD, LL.M., is a long-time educator and subject matter expert in Law. After completing her JD degree, she earned her Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in intellectual property law. She then began practicing law in South Florida. Wendy has taught law at the University level for 23 years in South Florida, focusing on Intellectual Property, Civil, Constitutional, and Criminal Law. The last time she presented at the Online Learning Consortium’s Accelerate was in 2020, where she presented “Copyright after Covid – Best practices to recognize and use good sources whether you are face to face, online, or remote teaching.” Her most recent presentation was at the Themed Experience and Attractions Academic Symposium (TEASS) titled “AI in Theme Park Innovation: Navigating Intellectual Property Challenges in the Creation of Immersive Experiences”.