Parents in Florida being given choice to opt their kids in or out for AI tools in class

Parents will have the choice to opt their child in or out of using artificial intelligence instructional tools in classroom settings under a new rule being considered by the Florida Department of Education.

The proposed changes to the internet safety policy would set minimum requirements for school districts to adopt regarding the use of artificial intelligence for educational purposes.

Schools will be required to notify parents if an AI instructional tool is approved for use and provide parents with information about it including what application or platform is being used, which grade levels will be using it and in what subject areas, how students will be interacting with it, and whether the students will be directly using it.

Parents will then have the option to opt their child in or out of using the tool. If they choose to opt out, they will be given information on alternative non-AI tools their student can use.

Parents will also be able to limit the amount of time their child can use any artificial intelligence tools for which they opt in.

According to the draft rules, the instructional tools will not be designed to simulate friendships or companionships with students, employ relationship-building design features, or be configured to meet a student’s social needs.

School districts will have to ensure that any AI tools approved for classroom use do not replace “the professional judgment of teachers” or “the primary right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children.”

The rules would also forbid tools that subject students to undisclosed behavior monitoring, social scoring, or psychological profiling. Schools must also ensure tools do not sell, monetize, profile, or commercially exploit student data to train AI models.

Any school districts using AI tools must furnish a publicly accessible list of all instructional tools approved for use in the classroom.

Parents will also be able to access any interactions their student has with artificial intelligence tools as school districts will be required to maintain those records.

The Education Department will maintain oversight with all school districts reporting any artificial intelligence instructional tools they use, including how frequently each tool is used, the duration of student interaction, and which grades and subject areas are employing the use of AI.

A meeting to evaluate the new rules is scheduled for Aug. 5. Members of the public can submit comments online up until that time on the Education Department website.

If the regulations are adopted, school districts must implement the changes by January.