US Department of Education Releases Guidelines for Integrating AI into Edtech

The U.S. Department of Education recently released a new guide that aims to assist in the development of new educational technologies leveraging artificial intelligence (AI).

“Today and in the future, a growing array of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models and capabilities will be incorporated into the products that specifically serve educational settings. The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is committed to encouraging innovative advances in educational technology (edtech) to improve teaching and learning across the nation’s education systems and to supporting developers as they create products and services using AI for the educational market,” the department said in the guide.

The newly released 49-page guide, "Designing for Education with Artificial Intelligence: An Essential Guide for Developers," outlines five primary recommendations covering product design, evidence provision, equity and civil rights advancement, safety and security assurance, and the promotion of transparency to build trust.

The guidelines published by the department are in line with the executive order released by the Biden administration in October 2023. 

Earlier this year, the Education Department released a new Edtech plan aiming to address the existing digital gap and enhance accessibility for all learners. 

The plan highlighted three significant digital equity divides. Firstly, the access divide, encompassing gaps in device and internet access, digital citizenship, and media literacy. Secondly, the design divide, reflecting variations in teachers' tech proficiency; and lastly, the digital use divide, showcasing differences in tech utilization for student engagement and critical thinking.