The Southern Regional Education Board Commission on Artificial Intelligence in Education has five subcommittees:

• AI K-12 policy
• AI postsecondary policy
• AI K-12 instruction
• AI postsecondary instruction
• AI workforce

Over the next few weeks, we will be spotlighting each of these subcommittees for you.

A Look at the Policy Subcommittees

The AI K-12 and postsecondary policy subcommittees share a unified goal— developing clear, actionable policy recommendations that will help state government and education agencies as they work to implement AI ethically and effectively in K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions.

Both subcommittees are made up of state legislators, educators, postsecondary administrators and policymakers, each bringing unique perspectives.

The primary mission of the K-12 and postsecondary policy subcommittees is to create policies that ensure AI is used ethically and effectively in classrooms at all grade levels. The subcommittees aim to address the significant challenges that come with integrating AI into education while ensuring equitable access for all students.

Governance, Ethics, Access and Other Key Focus Areas

Eric Ebersole, a former teacher and current legislator in Delaware, serves on the AI K-12 Policy subcommittee. One thing he learned as a member of this commission is where AI is getting its information.

“If AI is relying entirely on the wealth of things that are out there electronically to form opinions and to advise us, then we have to be careful it doesn’t become an echo chamber for things where we’ve improved ourselves, but they’re still in our past,” he said. “In many ways, it is a reflection of what our society has been, and we want it to also be a reflection of what our society becomes.”

Some of the other areas of focus include the following:

• AI governance: Establishing who governs AI use in education and how it will be regulated.
• Ethical use of AI in the classroom: Ensuring AI tools are used responsibly and in ways that enhance learning without replacing essential teaching roles.
• Equitable access: Making sure that all students, regardless of background, have access to AI tools that improve learning outcomes.
• Selecting tools: Helping schools and districts choose AI tools that align with educational goals and ethical standards.
• Data privacy: Protecting student data and ensuring it’s used appropriately when AI is involved.
• Using AI as a teaching tool: Exploring how AI can be used to enhance, rather than hinder, instruction.
• Limiting AI as a method of plagiarism: Addressing concerns about AI-assisted cheating and maintaining academic integrity.

The Goal

The K-12 and postsecondary AI policy subcommittees meet biweekly to collaborate on policy recommendations. They are drafting a series of white papers as resources for states. These papers will address the many challenges AI poses — from selecting the right tools to safeguarding student privacy — while providing practical solutions that can be adopted across the SREB region.

Their ultimate goal is to establish a policy framework that states can use to help guide their own AI implementation in schools and universities, ensuring that educational institutions can adopt AI technology confidently and responsibly.

Relating Back to the Full Committee

The AI K-12 and postsecondary policy subcommittees are integral to the success of the SREB AI Commission’s overall mission. By developing practical, forward-thinking policy recommendations, these groups are positioning the Southern states to become leaders in AI implementation in education.

Stay tuned for our next spotlight on the AI K-12 Instruction subcommittee, which is focused on how AI can enhance classroom teaching practices.