The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), along with several other stakeholder organizations, issued a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon on October 7th warning about the growing risks of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by students. The letter notes the emphasis the current administration has placed on the use of AI by children and youth and cites a number of efforts to encourage its use. Some of those efforts include the issuance of “Guidance on the Use of Federal Grant Funds to Improve Education Outcomes Using Artificial Intelligence (AI),” soliciting comments on the “Secretary’s Supplemental Priority and Definitions on Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education,” and the consideration of the Recommending Artificial Intelligence Standards in Education, or RAISE, Act in Congress which would encourage states to adopt academic standards related to AI and other emerging technologies.
While the letter discusses the potential benefits of AI use in the classroom, it also advises caution based on CDT research related to the ubiquitous use of AI by K-12 schools. The research suggests there is a correlation between schools’ use of AI and detrimental effects on students’ real-life relationships. CDT also highlights concerns related to students’ relationships with AI tools. This includes the use of AI for mental health or support, using it as an escape from real life, or even using AI to have a romantic relationship. Additionally, CDT’s research demonstrates that the more students use AI in school settings, the more likely they are to be susceptible to data breaches, ransomware attacks, sexual harassment, and bullying.
The letter calls on the U.S. Department of Education to incorporate the Principles for Responsible Use of AI outlined in its “Guidance on the Use of Federal Grant Funds to Improve Education Outcomes Using Artificial Intelligence,” and states that these principles are “critical to realizing the benefits of AI use in K-12 schools while minimizing harms to students.”
The letter on AI is available here.
