Los Angeles schools move to sharply restrict AI use -

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second-largest school district in the United States, will significantly restrict students’ use of artificial intelligence (AI) across all grade levels, district officials said on Sept 2.

The restrictions, which will take effect during the current school year, come shortly after New York City, the country’s largest school district, announced plans to prohibit most AI use through eighth grade. The moves reflect growing concerns among parents and educators about the increasing role of technology and screens in children’s lives.

LAUSD has already imposed limits on cellphone use during the school day and restricted the amount of time students can spend using laptops. Under the new AI rules, students will not be able to interact with Google’s Gemini chatbot through search results, although AI-generated summaries may still appear at the top of Google searches.

Students will also be barred from using AI chatbot features integrated into Google Classroom applications such as Docs, Sheets and Slides. Teachers, however, will continue to have access to AI tools.

The restrictions will remain in place while a school board committee examines how AI could eventually be incorporated into education. Board member Nicholas Melvoin questioned whether a complete ban was appropriate for older students, arguing that teenagers should learn about AI before entering college and the workforce.

The committee will also examine how educators use AI for lesson planning, grading, student feedback and communication with parents.

Supporters of the restrictions point to concerns that AI chatbots can provide inaccurate information and make academic cheating easier. Research has also raised concerns that excessive reliance on chatbots may weaken critical-thinking skills.

Common Sense Media has recommended limiting AI chatbot use among those under 18. The group supports teaching AI literacy but says students do not necessarily need direct access to AI tools to understand the technology’s risks and benefits.

The debate comes as LAUSD reassesses its approach to emerging technology. Former superintendent Alberto Carvalho had promoted AI and pursued development of a district chatbot, but the startup selected for the project later faced scrutiny after its chief executive was indicted on charges of defrauding investors. Carvalho resigned in June following an FBI search of his home linked to the investigation. – TS/ERMD

READ MORE