Sapiens Forward

Dealing with AI and trying to find happiness in this new age.

US Administration Signs Executive Order to Promote AI in American Schools

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US President Donald Trump signed an executive order (Executive Order 14277) titled “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth,” which aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the education system in the United States.

Summarizing Executive Order 14277

Let’s take a look at the key points of this executive order:

  1. AI Literacy Resources: Through public-private partnerships, a task force will work to develop resources that help students understand AI technology. It explains this move will be essential in demystifying AI, as students who grasp its functionality are more likely to use it responsibly.
  2. Teacher Training and Support: The order emphasizes the importance of professional development. It tasks the Secretary of Education with finding innovative ways to fund initiatives that support teachers in integrating AI into their curricula, enhancing both subject matter delivery and administrative efficiency.
  3. Expanding AI Opportunities: The order proposes the establishment of registered apprenticeships focused on AI, as well as initiatives like the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge aimed at encouraging student participation in AI-related projects.

Understanding the Executive Order’s Goals

The stated intention behind President Trump’s executive order is to prepare students and teachers to effectively employ AI, thereby enhancing educational outcomes and ultimately help the United States remain dominant in the world with respect to AI. By introducing AI into classrooms, the initiative seeks to foster curiosity and creativity, ensuring that students are equipped to engage in the workforce of tomorrow. The establishment of a White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education aims to develop strategic partnerships with AI companies, universities, and nonprofits to create online resources aimed at K-12 students.

Breaking Down the Central Thesis Outlined in the Executive Order

  • “To ensure the United States remains a global leader in this technological revolution, we must provide our Nation’s youth with opportunities to cultivate the skills and understanding necessary to use and create the next generation of AI technology.”
  • “By fostering AI competency, we will equip our students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to and thrive in an increasingly digital society.”
  • “Early learning and exposure to AI concepts not only demystifies this powerful technology but also sparks curiosity and creativity, preparing students to become active and responsible participants in the workforce of the future and nurturing the next generation of American AI innovators to propel our Nation to new heights of scientific and economic achievement.”
  • “To achieve this vision, we must also invest in our educators and equip them with the tools and knowledge to not only train students about AI, but also to utilize AI in their classrooms to improve educational outcomes.”
  • “Professional development programs focused on AI education will empower educators to confidently guide students through this complex and evolving field.”

Sources:

Why is The US Administration Promoting AI in Education?

Here are my immediate thoughts on this development. Artificial Intelligence will assuredly be a central aspect of ongoing technological advancement, and having newer generations of engineers that can develop systems in this areas is undoubtedly seen as pivotal by many technology leaders. I think it is possible that the apprenticeship programs this executive order is promoting could be geared towards providing education opportunities to aspiring AI software engineers – but then that sort of educational infrastructure already exists at many major universities.

I think in relation to the executive order “AI-related occupations” is more related to the concept of jobs that use artificial intelligence as part of the job function, rather than developing or innovating on AI systems. 

No, I don’t think this executive order is about expanding resources for ensuring the next generation of AI software engineers, but rather it is about using US Federal government influence to spur the integration of AI into educational practices and get students, families, and teachers more use to the idea of AI as a core component of education. There are a few possible angles for this.

One of the main ones I foresee is that it is deemed a foregone conclusion that AI will be integrated into K-12 education in the US in order to deal with mounting issues with teacher vacancies and school district budget shortfalls. AI teaching solutions could theoretically be implemented to augment existing teachers in such a way that could reduce increases in school staffing expenses and enable existing teachers to be able to better handle the workload.

If it actually worked out, AI tools could free educators from mundane administrative tasks, allowing them more time to focus on teaching. This promise of AI-powered teaching tools could lead to more engaging and personalized learning experiences for students. Since I assume that AI will continue to be integrated into education I’m really hoping that sort of positive outcome happens. But there are many inherent risks associated with rushing implementation of AI into education without taking time to really study what works or not.

Risks of Integrating AI in Education

  1. Equitable Access: I have a concern that AI tools may increase existing inequities in education. One one hand there is a risk that some students may not have equal access to these resources. On the other hand there is the potential that less robust AI solutions could be implemented too aggressively in districts with a staffing crisis, being used essentially as a teacher replacement. In either case there is a risk that underserved communities will fall further behind.
  2. Safety and Ethical Concerns: The absence of safety nets and regulations around AI could result in the dissemination of biased or inaccurate information, along with data security issues that threaten student privacy. The current US administration revoked earlier Executive Order 14110: Safe and Responsible AI Development, signaling less executive branch interest in safety or ethical concerns for AI. Right now, the focus seems to be primarily on winning a sort of AI arms race.
  3. Preparation and Timing: There really ought to be more caution against hastily introducing AI into classrooms without adequate training and support for both educators and students. The abrupt shift to technology-heavy education during the pandemic showcased the challenges that arise without proper preparation.
  4. Changing Teacher Roles: Integrating AI may inadvertently lead to a reduced focus on traditional educational methodologies, potentially undermining critical thinking and interpersonal skills. I fear that reliance on AI could diminish teachers’ roles as primary educators, shifting the learning experience to a mechanized format. As the son of two teacher parents, I’ve seen first hand what it takes for teachers to do their job well, the kind of pressure they are under, and the impact their efforts can make on people’s lives. It would be a terrible educational paradigm shift if K-12 teaching became relegated to following prompts from an AI teaching bot.

Moving Forward with Caution

As the discussion surrounding the integration of AI in education evolves, it will be crucial for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to navigate this landscape with thoughtfulness and intention. This new executive order has set ambitious goals that present substantial impact to the educational system in the United States.

Hopefully US leadership proceeds cautiously and strategically, to help ensure that AI fulfills its potential to enhance education without compromising the values and integrity of the educational system.

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