Louisiana forms 30-member committee to bring AI into K-12 classrooms, minus Chinese tech

Louisiana has formed a nearly 30-member committee to develop recommendations for implementing artificial intelligence in K-12 classrooms across the state. The initiative comes as education leaders grapple with AI’s rapid integration into daily life while addressing concerns about student privacy, data security, and the technology’s unproven impact on learning outcomes.

What you should know: The committee includes state education board members, department officials, and national AI experts who will spend the next few months creating an implementation framework.

• Louisiana Tech University president Jim Henderson will lead the team, which must present recommendations at the state board of education’s March 10 meeting next year.
• The group will explore age-appropriate AI lessons, develop warnings about technology risks, and create guidelines for responsible and ethical AI use across all grade levels.

The big picture: Louisiana is positioning itself to become a nationwide leader in AI education, but faces significant challenges in developing lasting policy around rapidly evolving technology.

• “AI is here,” Henderson 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.”
• The effort follows the state education board’s August directive for the education department to research AI and develop classroom implementation plans.

Policy developments: Gov. Jeff Landry issued an executive order this week prohibiting public schools from using AI programs 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.”
• Louisiana introduced its first AI standards for K-12 schools last fall, including suggestions for classroom incorporation, teacher training, and student data protection.

Current usage patterns: Despite widespread adoption, concerns persist about AI’s educational impact and student engagement.

• At least 85% of teachers and 86% of students across the country used AI last school year, according to the nonprofit Center for Democracy and Technology.
• Students reported that using AI in class made them feel less connected to their teachers, while educators voiced concerns that AI weakened critical thinking and research skills.

What they’re saying: Education leaders acknowledge the complexity of integrating AI while emphasizing its economic importance.

• Henderson called ensuring students, teachers and staff are prepared for an AI-filled future a “stunningly complex challenge.”
• Board member Preston Castille urged the team to develop programs teaching students to create AI platforms, saying Louisiana “shouldn’t just be consumers of the technology, but we should be designers, innovators.”
• State board president Ronnie Morris said education leaders didn’t “have the internal horsepower to move this initiative very far, very quickly.”

Early implementation: The state education department has already begun testing AI-powered learning tools in select schools.

• Tools include Khanmigo and Amira, which are being evaluated for effectiveness with students and educators.
• State Superintendent Cade Brumley said Louisiana wants to develop a system to vet new AI programs for districts.

The challenges ahead: Critics warn about insufficient research on AI’s long-term educational impacts and question whether the technology actually improves student learning.

• Some experts point out that AI can provide incorrect information to users.
• Henderson acknowledged concerns over protecting student data, an issue that could put student privacy at risk.