Navigating AI in Education: The Call for Federal Guidance

With the rapid integration of artificial intelligence in the classroom, educators are seeking clarity and direction. In the absence of established federal regulations, teachers rely on a mix of advice from various sources, including states, professional organizations, technology companies, and social media influencers.

During a recent hearing by the House subcommittee focused on early, elementary, and secondary education, experts expressed a strong desire for federal “guidance and guardrails” regarding AI. This comes in light of efforts by lawmakers to understand the government’s role in the technology’s application in education, particularly following President Donald Trump’s initiative to enhance K-12 education with AI.

“We’re taking AI seriously,” stated Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich. “Regardless of our level of understanding, it’s crucial for us to be informed about best practices in this realm.”

According to a survey conducted by the EdWeek Research Center, over 60 percent of K-12 teachers reported using AI-driven tools in their classrooms by 2025—a significant increase from two years prior. Although half of the teachers indicated they had received some training in these tools, the quality and extent of that training varied greatly.

“AI should be viewed as a tool, rather than the main driver of education,” remarked Aneesh Sohoni, CEO of Teach For America. The organization has been instrumental in providing training and fostering a community among its 4,800 teachers to explore the effective use of AI in enhancing students’ critical thinking skills.

“The future of education lies in synergizing technology with human expertise, with educators leading the way while technology serves as supportive assistance,” Sohoni elaborated. “The decisions we make today will ultimately influence whether AI serves to benefit or hinder both educators and their students.”

West Virginia was one of the pioneers in developing AI guidelines for schools, rolling out its framework in 2023. State Superintendent Michele Blatt noted that the guidelines have already undergone two revisions. Additionally, West Virginia has introduced a training initiative enabling teachers to utilize Microsoft’s Copilot—a tool designed for lesson planning and content generation.

However, Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., voiced concerns that educators may lack the capacity to navigate the diverse professional development options available, potentially leading to an overreliance on training from private companies.

Major technology firms are competing to influence educator training and promote familiarity with their products. For instance, Google recently announced a partnership with ISTE-ASCD, an organization representing education technology and curriculum officials, to deliver AI literacy training for 6 million teachers.

Similarly, prominent AI developers Anthropic, Microsoft, and OpenAI pledged $23 million last summer to the American Federation of Teachers to establish a National Academy for AI Instruction, focusing on developing AI literacy training and credentials for 400,000 educators.

“For tech companies, the phrase ‘move fast and break things’ might sound appealing when it comes to apps. But for teachers, what gets broken are students,” commented David Slykhuis, dean of education and human services at Valdosta State University. “Teachers need to approach technology intentionally and work on nurturing their students, rather than rushing through the process.”

Allyson Knox, senior director of education and workforce policy at Microsoft, emphasized the necessity for ongoing feedback among teachers concerning their use of technology. Both Knox and Sohoni highlighted how special education teachers are employing AI to tailor lessons for students with disabilities and enhance communication with parents.

“It’s hard to envision another educational technology with such vast potential to ease teachers’ workloads,” remarked Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif. “However, this potential comes with significant challenges, including safeguarding students’ privacy and fostering critical thinking about technology.”

© 2026 Education Week (Bethesda, Md.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.