Artificial Intelligence and Education: An Overview for State Departments of Education

The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) is not yet known, but is expected to impact most aspects of our lives and work in the next 20 years. AI will be able to help solve complex problems, help with investment and business development, support medical and health care, and substantially impact the field of education. State education agencies (SEAs) are initiating work to provide guidance on the use of AI in schools, but there is still much to be done. SEAs that move more quickly to provide guidance on how to adopt and implement AI effectively may be better positioned to improve efficiencies and innovate. They may also positively impact students' academic outcomes and better prepare students for a future certain to contain and be impacted by this technology. This overview of considerations for SEAs in facilitating adoption and policy development for AI is the first of a three-component series. This first component will provide an overview for SEAs to understand and disseminate knowledge and information related to AI, provide a brief introduction to AI in education, and offer examples of current AI-related educational policy. The second and third components will provide concreate action steps to guide policy development.