Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering public school classrooms before students, families, and educators have been given meaningful power over the decision.

Technology companies are selling schools generative AI tools, automated tutoring systems, and data-driven platforms while serious questions remain about student privacy, critical thinking, academic honesty, educator workload, and human interaction.

Public school advocates in Chicago and Delaware are showing another path. Chicago advocates are calling for a 3-year moratorium on generative AI while public input is gathered and a transparent approval process is created. Public School Strong Delaware is demanding listening sessions, surveys, focus groups, public reporting, and an advisory council led primarily by students, families, educators, and community members.

Public schools belong to the public. Decisions that could reshape teaching, learning, privacy, and childhood development cannot be left to politicians, consultants, administrators, and technology vendors.

The risks are especially serious for communities that have repeatedly been used as testing grounds for unproven education reforms. Underfunded schools serving communities of color should receive more educators, counselors, librarians, and support staff, not automated products offered as cheaper substitutes for human investment.

State leaders must establish an immediate moratorium on new generative AI programs, purchases, pilots, and contracts until a transparent statewide public process is complete.

That process must disclose where AI is already being used, identify what student information is collected or shared, evaluate the effects on learning and privacy, and give students, families, educators, and community organizations real decision-making power.

Click “Start Writing” to tell your state legislators and state superintendent to protect human-centered education, pause new AI implementation, and require meaningful public input before AI is used in classrooms.