The committee will be composed of nearly 30 people from across the state, including members of the education board and education department, as well as national artificial intelligence experts. They are expected to explore ways that schools can teach students at every grade level about responsible and ethical AI use, determine what age-appropriate lessons should look like and publish and update warnings on the technology's risks.
The group's creation comes after the state education board in August called on Louisiana's education department to research AI and to develop a game plan for implementing the technology in classrooms. Gov. Jeff Landry also issued an executive order this week that prohibits public schools from using AI programs that were developed by certain countries, including China. The governor said the rule will protect students, universities and state agencies from the influence of "hostile foreign governments."
Proponents of the effort to expedite AI use in Louisiana schools cite the technology's growing importance in the global economy. But ensuring students, teachers and staff are prepared for an AI-filled future is a "stunningly complex challenge," said Louisiana Tech University president Jim Henderson on Tuesday. Henderson was appointed to lead the new team.
Henderson pointed to AI's rapid advancement, which he said makes it difficult to develop education policy around the technology that can withstand the test of time. He also acknowledged concerns over protecting student data — an issue state education leaders and experts have warned could put student privacy at risk.
Still, he said, it's crucial that Louisiana get ahead of the game if the state wants to establish itself as a nationwide leader in AI education.
"AI is here," he said. "It's something that's going to continue to develop, and having a framework for the state allows us to empower our people to take advantage of it."
Some education experts, however, warn there has not been enough research on the technology's long-term impacts, and that there's no evidence so far to suggest it actually improves student learning. Critics also point out that AI can sometimes give users incorrect information.
At least 85% of teachers and 86% of students across the country said they used AI last school year, according to a report released this month by the nonprofit Center for Democracy and Technology. But students also reported that using AI in class made them feel less connected to their teachers, while educators voiced concerns that AI weakened their students' critical thinking and research skills.
Louisiana introduced its first set of AI standards for K-12 schools last fall. They included suggestions on how to incorporate AI into class instruction, how to train teachers to use and teach AI and ways to protect student data and privacy.
The standards also noted challenges with AI in classrooms, such as an increased potential for plagiarism, and gave guidance on how to to combat those problems.
Board member Preston Castille also asked Henderson's team to look into developing school programs that teach students how to create AI platforms, saying that Louisiana "shouldn't just be consumers of the technology, but we should be designers, innovators."
Louisiana's education department has already rolled out the use of certain AI-powered learning tools, including Khanmigo and Amira, in some schools to see how they work for students and educators, State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said. He added that the state wants to develop a system to vet new AI programs for districts.
The work group will present its suggestions, which are also expected to include new policy recommendations for lawmakers, at the state board of education's March 10 meeting next year.
State education leaders didn't "have the internal horsepower to move this initiative very far, very quickly," state board of education president Ronnie Morris said. With external help from the new committee, however, the state can ensure its students "are even more competitive and better prepared for careers and college."
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