A new piece of legislation sponsored by Senator Reggie Thomas aims to address the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. The bill, which calls for AI reporting from Kindergarten through college, would require school districts to provide annual reports on their AI usage and establish a working group to monitor AI use in higher education.
Senator Thomas believes that the rapid expansion of AI warrants careful oversight to ensure that it is being used in ways that benefit and advance society, rather than harm it. He argues that while congressional action on the issue is necessary, states cannot afford to wait, and thus it is essential for individual states to take the initiative.
Senate Education Committee Chair Steve West expressed support for the legislation, highlighting that school districts are already grappling with the challenges of integrating AI into the education system. He believes that Senator Thomas’ proposal makes sense in light of the increasing prevalence of AI in society.
Senator David Givens also expressed interest in the conversation surrounding AI and student learning. He emphasized the importance of equipping future citizens with the skills to distinguish between fact and fiction, as well as to identify reliable sources of information. While he has not yet fully reviewed the legislation, he is open to discussing its merits.
Senator Thomas anticipates that the bill will receive a Senate committee hearing, marking an important step toward addressing the role of AI in education. The legislation’s proposed reporting requirements and monitoring mechanisms aim to ensure transparency and responsible use of AI technology in schools and universities.