The Otus AI Advisory Board includes teachers, principals, instructional technology specialists and district administrators from more than 20 school districts across 11 states, representing a mix of urban, suburban and rural communities, according to a recent news release.
It adds that the board meets monthly to discuss issues related to the use of AI in education and offer insight on the direction Otus should take with its own AI features. The company makes a platform that combines student assessment data from multiple sources to monitor progress and inform instruction, its website states.
Co-founded by middle school teachers in 2013, Otus counts 200 school districts as clients, encompassing more than 1 million students, according to the company’s website. Chris Hull, president of Otus and one of its co-founders, said the goal of the AI Advisory Board is to make sure the platform’s AI features actually benefit schools.
“AI holds incredible potential for K-12 education, but it’s essential we get it right,” Hull said in a public statement. “Educators should have a seat at the table when it comes to shaping how AI is used in schools. By establishing our AI Advisory Board, we are creating a space to listen to and learn from educators — ensuring our innovations align with the real needs of those we serve.”
According to the news release, AI Advisory Board members test and provide feedback on new AI features for the Otus platform, such as asking the AI to generate student progress updates for parents or pinpoint areas where students need further instruction. Board members also discuss their own challenges and solutions when it comes to AI adoption in K-12 schools.
For example, a recent meeting dealt with the topic of teachers who are resistant to the use of AI due to concerns about cheating, with board members sharing solutions such as “showcasing the relevance of AI to real-world careers, introducing AI tools with teacher-approved safeguards, and strategically using AI tools that emphasize creativity and student engagement,” the news release states.
Otus AI Advisory Board Member Caitlin Wlezien said the product testing and discussions have been helpful in her own work as an instructional technology coordinator for Wood Dale School District 7 in Illinois.
“Being part of the AI Advisory Board has really opened my eyes to how AI can support both teachers and students in meaningful ways,” Wlezien said in a public statement. “It’s been great connecting with other educators, sharing ideas and finding new, creative ways to bring technology into the classroom.”
The formation of AI advisory boards has potential to become a trend in ed tech and other industries as the need for expertise in the field grows. The nonprofit America On Tech, which offers technology education and workforce-readiness programs, for example, launched its own AI Advisory Council in February.
