Teachers call for balance between learning and artificial intelligence

The American Federation of Teachers is rolling out an action plan that it says will balance the needs of public schools, students and artificial intelligence.

The plan, called “Devices Down, Eyes Up, Hands-On: 10 Points to Boost Teaching and Learning in the AI Era,” calls for a screen ban for students in pre-K through second grade and an immediate end to student-facing AI in elementary schools.

AFT president Randi Weingarten said children are losing critical thinking skills.

“I am not calling for an AI ban or a Chromebook bonfire,” Weingarten said. “What I'm calling for is getting the balance right to harness the benefits of technology while mitigating the harms. I'm wary of the dangers of AI, but it is here to stay.”

Cellphone bans are already in effect in the 1,200 public schools throughout Texas. Each district has devised its own policies. Some require students to lock their phones in pouches at the start of the school day, while others let students keep their phones, but require them to be powered off.

The AFT’s 10-point plan calls for establishing a new “gold standard” regarding safety and privacy for AI in schools. It also reinforces the idea that schools should focus on the well-being of students and their families.

Weingarten said she believes the Trump administration is trying to hand public schools over to Big Tech and private donors.

“It is more focused on erasing history, punishing people with student debt, and stripping the Department of Education for parts than on helping children thrive,” she said.

Weingarten added that to prepare young people for complex challenges, they must know how to work together to solve problems.