North Carolina is pioneering a statewide initiative to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) literacy in education, setting a new standard for other states. In collaboration with the AI Innovation Index, a project spearheaded by AI for Equity, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is spearheading efforts to integrate AI education across its PreK-12 schools.
This groundbreaking partnership positions North Carolina as the nation’s first state to participate in the AI Innovation Index on such a scale. Supported by 22 nonprofit research and education advocacy groups, the initiative aims to foster AI understanding and application across educational institutions.
State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, “This is an exciting step in North Carolina’s journey to having the best public schools in the nation.” Green emphasized the state’s proactive stance on AI in education, highlighting the opportunity to measure and enhance AI literacy among students and staff.
Public school units (PSUs) in North Carolina can voluntarily join the AI Innovation Index by completing a form on the project’s website, innovate-ai.org. Participating schools will conduct biannual surveys for both students and staff, featuring four closed-ended questions. Additionally, senior leaders will provide self-assessments on AI best practice implementation.
The survey results will be analyzed by district and, if feasible, by individual school to pinpoint strengths and highlight areas needing improvement. This data will offer vital insights at the state level, illustrating how North Carolina compares with other states and what support systems are necessary for schools.
Already at the forefront of AI education, NCDPI’s Office of Digital Teaching and Learning provides comprehensive AI resources, including an AI guidebook updated with current best practices.
Vera Cubero, NCDPI’s emerging technologies consultant, remarked, “Our goal is to empower educators and students to integrate AI into their everyday work in meaningful, ethical and effective ways.” She noted the importance of capturing new data to benchmark AI literacy progress and inform decisions as technologies evolve.
On a national scale, the AI Innovation Index will enable educators and policymakers to draw data-driven comparisons across various states and school systems, identifying and learning from leading innovators in AI education.
Aaron Cuny, founder and CEO of AI for Equity, stated, “At AI for Equity, we believe that equipping school systems with concrete, actionable data is one of the most powerful levers for change.” He emphasized that when leaders, educators, and students reflect on AI, the insights gained can drive sustainable progress, helping schools lead with purpose and preparing students for a future shaped by AI.
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