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LAUSD students barred from AI use, in a surprise to school board
Los Angeles Unified is blocking student access to artificial intelligence tools on district-issued devices.
(
Robyn Beck
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Los Angeles Unified is blocking student access to artificial intelligence tools on district-issued devices.
The district’s decision, announced at the kickoff meeting of a new AI committee, bars an estimated 378,000 students from using generative AI tools on LAUSD laptops and tablets. This is a departure from the current policy which allows students 13 and older to use AI tools under school supervision and after they complete a lesson about “digital citizenship.”
The announcement came as a surprise to board members and parents.
“Just based on the facial expressions of folks in this room, many parents, some of whom work at the district, some of whom don't," said LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin, after district staff explained the new AI restrictions. "I don't think it's well-publicized and I would encourage us to do more."
How it works
District leaders said the web-filtering software Lightspeed allows LAUSD to categorically block student access to any website categorized as an AI tool.
The district does not stop students using AI on personal devices, though the software will continue to block access if a student signs in to their district profile on that personal device.
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Who sets AI rules?
The LAUSD board voted in June to enact what was then the most-widespread student screentime restrictions in the country, but did not specify limitations to student AI use. The resolution instead created an ad hoc generative AI committee with the goal of developing policy recommendations for board approval by next year.
The board’s AI committee is scheduled to meet through April to develop recommendations for how students access AI. "This is an emerging technology,” said Pia Sadaqatmal, chief academic officer. “We will continue to be adaptive as needed, but we do know that the heart of it is really making sure that we keep teaching and learning at the center of our decision.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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