President Trump signed an executive order to implement as much AI in schools as possible, with the goal of improving education outcomes and teacher performance.
“It is the policy of the United States to promote AI literacy and proficiency among Americans by…fostering early exposure to AI concepts and technology to develop an AI-ready workforce and the next generation of American AI innovators,” says the order.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has 90 days to figure out how federal funding for AI initiatives can improve education outcomes. That includes instructional resources, tutoring, and college and career advising.
Two weeks ago, McMahon called AI “A1,” as in the steak sauce, while speaking on a panel about education innovation. “A school system that’s going to start making sure that first graders, or even pre-Ks, have A1 teaching in every year,” she said, USA Today reports. “Kids are sponges. They just absorb everything,” she added. “It wasn’t all that long ago that it was, ‘We’re going to have internet in our schools!’ Now let’s see A1 and how can that be helpful.”
Maybe we’re just being a pretentious tech magazine, but it seems impossible not to have heard the phrase “AI” about a million times since ChatGPT debuted. It’s unclear if McMahon still had last night’s dinner on her mind, or if she truly thought that’s how you pronounce it.
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In addition to students, McMahon has 120 days to figure out how teachers will use AI. This could include reducing time-intensive administrative tasks, teacher training and evaluation, and professional development, so they know how to teach AI in computer science courses. The order does not name any specific tools, such as ChatGPT, and leaves the type of AI technology that could be implemented open-ended.
Many school districts are already exploring the use of AI. One Los Angeles school district, among the largest in the country, is using AI to reach students and parents who do not speak English. Tools like Khan Academy offer AI-powered tutoring as well.
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According to the EO, McMahon will have help from a broader task force of government agency heads, led by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Other members include the Secretaries of Agriculture, Labor, and Energy, as well as the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, the Special Advisor for AI and Crypto, and the Assistant to the President for Policy.
The order also calls for continuing AI education for adults to keep the workforce up to speed.
“By establishing a strong framework that integrates early student exposure with comprehensive teacher training and other resources for workforce development, we can ensure that every American has the opportunity to learn about AI from the earliest stages of their educational journey through postsecondary education, fostering a culture of innovation and critical thinking that will solidify our Nation’s leadership in the AI-driven future,” it says.
About Emily Forlini
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