Voters Demand Government AI Rules for Schools

A large majority of American voters want the government to set clear rules for using artificial intelligence and other new technologies in K-12 schools. This demand crosses political lines, according to a May survey of over 2,000 voters conducted for The Century Foundation by Morning Consult.

At least 80% of respondents expressed being "very" or "somewhat" concerned about six specific AI and tech issues. The top worry, at 85%, was students using AI to complete assignments without learning. Other major concerns included teachers being pressured to use tools without proven benefits (81%) and schools failing to prepare students for an AI-driven world (80%).

Broad Concerns Beyond AI

The survey revealed deep unease extends beyond artificial intelligence. Voters are also worried about foundational aspects of schooling. A significant 86% are concerned about social media's impact. Issues of student data privacy and in-class cell phone use also ranked high, at 84% and 81% respectively.

Traditional academic and safety concerns remain prominent. Eighty-one percent of voters see students not learning at grade level in math and literacy as a problem. Eighty percent are concerned about school safety, and 75% worry about adequate funding. Seventy-two percent expressed concern that the right to public education could be eliminated.

Julie Margetta Morgan, president of The Century Foundation and a report co-author, noted the widespread nature of these anxieties. "We’re seeing these cell phone bans and other concerns about technology popping up across the country," she said. The survey aimed to gauge if these were isolated issues or reflected a broader public sentiment.

A Call for Government Guardrails

When asked who should manage technology use in schools, voters overwhelmingly favored government intervention. Seventy-seven percent said the government should set clear guardrails, compared to letting teachers handle it alone. This preference was bipartisan, supported by 80% of Republicans and 76% of Democrats.

Nearly half of all respondents, 49%, said in-class technology and AI use should be "kept to a minimum." Morgan warned that without public input, school leaders might get a skewed perspective. "If the only people you’re hearing from on this are the companies themselves..." she said.

Implications for School Leaders and Lawmakers

Morgan emphasized that school superintendents and principals are often left to set their own rules in a regulatory vacuum. "The leaders of schools are having to do that. Understanding how that lands in their communities is important," she stated. She described the concerns as largely "non-ideological," a notable finding in the current polarized climate.

The report urges districts to actively engage with parents to understand their perspectives. It also calls for schools to advocate for legislative action. Morgan argued that ground rules are needed not just for schools but also for the technology companies themselves.

She highlighted the challenging position of district leaders who must negotiate complex contracts with vendors. "They have unclear terms, and unclear tradeoffs in terms of what the school gets, versus what they’re giving up in terms of student data," Morgan explained. She advocates for state and federal lawmakers to intervene and "level the playing field between the companies and the school districts."