Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ai In Schools topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Candidates Urge Digital Literacy, State Vetting Before AI Is Used in Classrooms
Summary
Forum participants agreed that AI tools should meet standards for learning outcomes, privacy and equity before school use and called for state-supported vetting and digital literacy curricula to support districts and teachers.
Across multiple answers at the Malden forum, candidates urged that schools not be left to vet AI and other tech alone and that the state provide standards, funding and digital‑literacy curriculum before broad classroom adoption.
Ryan O’Malley said schools need AI literacy programs and that state regulations should instruct the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to write rules ensuring AI tools improve learning outcomes rather than addict students to technology. Carrie McDonald urged a student technology review office to screen vendor terms of service and recommended state guidance so principals and media specialists are not left to interpret privacy guarantees alone. Jay Higgins and other candidates emphasized delaying classroom AI adoption until students have stronger foundational skills and digital literacy.
Candidates also called for clear protections for student data and for tools to be “age appropriate” and accompanied by curricular supports. Several urged a multistate approach to testing and vetting tools and said districts should receive funding and technical assistance so implementation does not fall entirely to local schools.
