Parents and advocacy groups press Wake County on AI safeguards and transparency

Several parents and advocates pressed the Wake County Board of Education on transparency and safeguards for classroom artificial intelligence at public comment on June 17.

Becky Lou Hobbs, chapter chair of Moms for Liberty in Wake County, said the district's draft AI policies "recognize the risks of AI" but lack specific rules on data retention, deletion and auditing and do not provide a clear opt-out or consent pathway for families. "What student information can and cannot be entered into any of these AI systems? Who owns that data — parent, the district, the vendor?" she asked. Hobbs urged publication of an approved vendor list and explicit deletion timelines.

Isabelle Heinman, a District 8 parent, said she supports teaching AI responsibly but criticized the rollout timeline and public transparency. She told the board that staff access began in April 2023 and student access followed July 1, 2023, while policy guidance and the AI task force's draft documentation were produced later in 2025. "Why was that roll out allowed before a comprehensive governance, risk, and compliance framework was publicly established?" Heinman asked, and later asked, "why are we discussing an investment approaching $10 million while simultaneously reallocating resources from critical areas of education?"

Board members acknowledged the concerns and described the draft policy as a cautious approach. Dr. Ing and others said the district must remain judicious in adopting AI and that the tool should remain a support, not a replacement for foundational learning. The board indicated plans for further public input through fall BAC meetings and noted it would incorporate community and student feedback before final policy adoption.

No formal vote on AI policy changes occurred at the June 17 meeting; the board invited continued public comment and staff review.