AI in Education

Should the new technology be feared or embraced

During January, I met more than 1,500 voters - introducing myself and discussing various issues. Artificial Intelligence (AI) was discussed in the context of finding cures for diseases, advancing accessible tools, such as Meta glasses, to help blind and low vision individuals navigate spaces, as well as AI's use in the classroom.

Initial Concerns

Big Tech is excited about AI. Venture Capital firms are excited about AI. Banks are excited about AI. Every billboard in San Francisco promotes AI. It's so pervasive; it feels like we're on the precipice of another dot.com boom (and bust). Maybe the move to Big Machines processing vast amounts of data at lightning speed will be an overall benefit, but right now, we're in a very tricky time. Smart regulation is needed to protect the environment from data center waste; our children from misinformation, manipulation and hateful bias; our parents from more sophisticated scams; and our democracy from internal and external abuse.

Listening & Learning from Educators

To better understand the use of AI in the classroom and school administration, I met with a host of educators, including a Community College Professor, a former Superintendent at California School for the Blind, a high school teacher leading AI & Comp Sci instruction, a middle school vice principal, and numerous elementary teachers. I'm not done asking questions but I have enough information to refine my position on this issue. AI in the education could be a huge benefit to districts navigation million dollar budget cuts.

California & District 14 are Leaders in Guiding AI's Use in Education

• In September 2025, Governor Newsom signed SB 53, the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (TFAIA). Legislators in Sacramento hope this sets California as an overall leader in the AI industry in terms of "safe, secure, and trustworthy artificial intelligence, creating a new law that helps the state both boost innovation and protect public safety."

• Instructors with passion for the new technology are developing AI guidelines for safe use, sharing these with school boards, and school boards are working to adopt district wide.

• Under California Senate Bill (SB) 1288 (2024), California Department launched a Public Schools: AI Working Group. It "brings together educators, students, experts, and educational partners to develop . . . safe, equitable, and effective use of AI in schools." Representatives from our District, David Malone, Alameda County Office of Education, and Kevin Kiyoi, Amador Valley High School (PUSD), are membes of the working group.

• Administrators are testing reading assessment tools that could offer a.) more consistent assessments, b.) real-time feedback, and c.) time for more instruction. It was shared that these tools could get schools and districts closer to fulfilling the aspirational goals set by the 'No Child Left Behind' polices of the 2000's

• Professors and upper K-12 teachers are rethinking end-of-year exams with a possible return to pen and paper to test real learning

Great things are happening in California Educators want to use the tools to assist with assessments, feedback, higher level thinking. California is leader in this space. Sadly, the federal government, under the current administration, refuses to discuss policy around safe and secure use of AI. The Adminstration is letting the tech giants police themselves. Since, this didn't work well when Social platforms were first launched, we need to create guardrails to protect nefarious actors from abusing its power.

Additional Thoughts on AI

AI has the power to cure currently incurable diseases. For example, doctors in China just unveiled a CT scan that uses AI to improve early detection of pancreatic cancer, with 93% accuracy. It can also assist blind and low vision individuals with personal navigation through spaces (e.g., Meta glasses, Envision AI, and Apples Vision Pro) - incredibly beneficial for independence and equal opportunities. AI is making safe self-driving vehicles more and more safe. The positive applications are endless, but so are the negatives.

AI has the power to replace all forms of creative art. It's replacing customer service, executive assistants, researchers - not very well, but it's happening. AI is creating deep fakes in all places and amplifying misinformation . . . The list goes on and on.

MY POSITION | For this reason, we need to regulate the industry and create safeguards against abuse. Congress is working toward regulation but The White House is proposing that Big Tech to police itself.

Congress is trying to regulate the industry, including the Federal AI Governance and Transparency Act, the AI Research, Innovation, and Accountability Act of 2023, the AI Labeling Act of 2023, National AI Commission Act, CREATE AI Act of 2025, and the States’ Right to Regulate AI Act. But, The White House has proposed a 10-year ban on state and local government regulations.

NOTE: not written by AI.