Utah launches AI training program for educators with $500,000 grant

The Standards and Assessments Committee meeting held on April 9, 2025, focused on significant updates regarding artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives in Utah's education system. The meeting highlighted three main updates from the Office of AI Policy and related educational programs.

The first update addressed the development of regulatory mitigation plans for AI, which have been in progress for the past six months. The Office of AI Policy, established within the Department of Commerce, has been tasked by the legislature to create these plans to address legal and regulatory challenges that may hinder the effective implementation of AI technologies. The plans were recently completed and are set to be included in an upcoming framework update for local education agencies (LEAs). This update will also feature a glossary of key AI terms requested by educators across the state.

The second update involved a new grant-funded program aimed at training educators on AI. The Utah Coalition for Educational Technology has rolled out this initiative with a budget of $500,000, where over half of the funds will directly benefit teachers. The program consists of three components: a one-hour professional development session, a two-hour online course, and the creation of lesson plans that incorporate AI. This initiative is notable for being the first of its kind globally, with plans to make the resulting lesson database publicly available.

Lastly, the meeting discussed ongoing internal professional development for staff at the Utah State Board of Education (USB). These sessions, which occur bi-weekly, focus on AI training and updates on the Canvas online learning platform. Attendance has been strong, with over 150 employees participating in the initial session.

The committee expressed enthusiasm for the AI training initiatives and the potential impact on educators and students throughout Utah. Board members also showed interest in participating in site visits to observe the training sessions firsthand. The discussions underscored the rapid evolution of AI in education and the importance of keeping educators informed and equipped to utilize these technologies effectively.