The House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing titled, From Chalkboards to Chatbots: The Impact of AI on K-12 Education. Led by Chairman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) and Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) witnesses included Dr. Sid Dorbin, Chair, Department of English, University of Florida; Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer, CEO, ILO Group; Erin Mote, CEO, Innovate EDU/EDSAFE AI Alliance; and, Chris Chism, Superintendent, Pearl Public School District. The discussion focused on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) as witnesses highlighted the power – and pitfalls – AI will have in modern classrooms. The panel agreed that the full effect of AI on K-12 classrooms is unknown and that school leaders and educators are working to develop policies in the use(s) of and investments in AI. “We are already seeing AI widely adopted…The question is not whether students will use AI – that’s already happening. Rather, the question is how schools can support students in using AI responsibly and in unlocking its full potential to advance student achievement,” Chair Kiley said. Rep. Mike Rulli (R-OH) asked about the potential of AI to support students with disabilities and Superintendent Chism noted that AI can provide students with individualized plans far beyond K-12 classrooms that meet their needs. “…I don’t think this stops at K-12 or college. We’re going to see this moving into the business world. Knowledge is going to be something for everybody now, and I think that’s what’s changing in the world of AI,” Chism said. Erin Mote highlighted AI’s potential benefits and challenges to our education system and made policy recommendations to invest in public infrastructure for digital access; support research, development, and data; establish foundational national frameworks for safe and responsible AI; and, support AI literacy programs, for students and educators. The hearing included a few tense moments as Democrats used the platform to discuss the important role of U.S. Department of Education in helping states navigate this new technological terrain and Republicans responded that “AI will likely revolutionize the way students learn, but the federal government doesn’t need to be involved…and…as we work to disempower federal bureaucracies and  strengthen families and states, Committee Republicans also stand ready to ensure AI enhances students’ learning experiences and makes American classrooms the best in the world.”  

View the hearing and read the testimony here.