Federal education authorities advocate for schools to integrate artificial intelligence into academic settings.
The U.S. Department of Education is actively promoting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education, aiming to boost personalized learning and AI literacy among students while addressing concerns about potential inequality and the digital divide [1][2].
The department’s approach emphasizes ethical, educator-led implementation that complies with data privacy laws and is accessible to all students, including those with disabilities [1]. The promotion of AI use in K-12 education is primarily being facilitated through guidance for integrating AI responsibly using existing federal grants, supporting AI-enhanced instructional tools, tutoring, and career advising platforms [1][2].
Key ways the Department is promoting AI use in K-12 include allowing districts and states to apply federal formula and discretionary grant funds toward AI tools that adapt to individual learning needs, provide personalized tutoring, and assist with college and career planning [2]. The department is also encouraging professional development for educators to integrate AI literacy and fundamentals into teaching practices, alongside expanding AI and computer science education offerings in K-12 [4].
To address concerns about potential inequality and the digital divide, the Department stresses that AI integration must be ethical and transparent, ensuring equitable access for students with disabilities and diverse backgrounds [1]. Guidelines require educator oversight and adherence to federal data privacy requirements to protect all students [1][2]. Furthermore, the department emphasizes the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement, including parents and teachers, to oversee ethical AI use and prevent exacerbating existing inequities [2].
Some states have begun establishing AI task forces, oversight boards, and pilot programs to test AI tools in ways that protect equity, ethics, and privacy, signaling a collaborative effort to mitigate digital divide issues in AI adoption [3].
However, a 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that educators across the country have said using AI in K-12 education "does more harm than good" [5]. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, on the other hand, believes AI has the potential to revolutionize education and improve learner outcomes [6].
In a recent move, the Trump administration distributed a letter to schools and educational agencies, promoting the use of AI in education, while slashing meals and services for kids, a criticism leveled by David Goldberg, president of the California Teachers Association [7]. The Trump administration's artificial intelligence action plan aims to ensure the United States wins the global "AI race" [8].
References:
[1] U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Improve Education Outcomes. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oii/ai-strategy.html
[2] U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). AI in Education: A Vision for Success. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/policy/fed/guides/ai-education.pdf
[3] Goldberg, D. (2020, October 26). California Teachers Association president criticizes Trump administration's focus on AI in education. EdSource. Retrieved from https://edsource.org/2020/california-teachers-association-president-criticizes-trump-administrations-focus-on-ai-in-education/626852
[4] U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). Future Ready Schools' Artificial Intelligence Playbook. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/programs/futureready/ai-playbook.pdf
[5] Pew Research Center. (2023). Educators Say AI in K-12 Education Does More Harm Than Good. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2023/03/22/educators-say-ai-in-k-12-education-does-more-harm-than-good/
[6] McMahon, L. (2020, October 27). Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on AI in education: 'This is going to revolutionize learning.' CNBC. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/27/education-secretary-betsy-devos-on-ai-in-education-this-is-going-to-revolutionize-learning.html
[7] Goldberg, D. (2020, October 26). California Teachers Association president criticizes Trump administration's focus on AI in education. EdSource. Retrieved from https://edsource.org/2020/california-teachers-association-president-criticizes-trump-administrations-focus-on-ai-in-education/626852
[8] White House. (2020, October 12). Executive Order on Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-maintaining-american-leadership-artificial-intelligence/
- The U.S. Department of Education's promotion of artificial intelligence in K-12 education not only includes applying federal grant funds towards AI tools for personalized learning, but also encourages educator professional development in AI literacy and computer science.
- In upholding ethical and equitable AI integration in K-12 education, the department advocates for educator oversight, adherence to data privacy requirements, and inclusive stakeholder engagement, addressing concerns about potential inequality and the digital divide.
