No, that wasn’t  a criticism of district leadership or the board of education, although…

Despite teacher criticisms of HPS’ inability to ensure that the district is a 1-to-1 district, meaning all students have access to a computer, HPS is ‘moving forward’ with adopting a 21st century technology policy which will guide the future use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in classrooms by students and teachers. 

However, as Creedence Clearwater Revival sang, “I see the bad moon rising…”  HPS’ AI policy has appeared on the agendas of three different board meetings (Oct. 2 Policy Meeting, Oct. 17 Regular Meeting, and Nov. 6 Policy Meeting) but has generated only 4 minutes of artificial discussion, which occurred at the Oct. 2 Policy Meeting and consisted of HPS Chief Performance Officer Bethany Silver introducing the policy, which mentions the board’s “commitment” to students twice on the first page.  Four minutes.  No questions or comments from board members.  Four minutes.

Realizing the potential impact on education by AI technology, and realizing that the BOE needs a kick in the ass before they do anything meaningful, the Hartford City Council, on November 13th, adopted a resolution committing to support the superintendent “in her endeavors to explore and potentially implement AI-enhanced learning opportunities” in Hartford Public Schools.  Non-profits are on their way to HPS as we speak.

The resolution “encourages collaboration” between experts and stakeholders to “identify AI-related needs and opportunities,” commits the city to work with HPS in “exploring resources and funding” for the development of AI-related “policies and programming,” and stipulates semi-annual “qualitative and quantitative data” updates from the district regarding the integration of AI into educational programs (I can see it now, someone from HPS will stand before the city council and say, “we don’t have that data with us, but we can get it to you”).

During the public comment portion of the city council meeting, prior to the adoption of the resolution, Anne Goshdigian of the Hartford News stood in opposition to the move toward using AI technology in Hartford schools.  Ms. Goshdigian stated her opposition was due to the many pitfalls of using AI, especially in journalism where it has returned incorrect information which folks take as real news.  Using AI in education, stated Ms. Goshdigian, will create “lazy minds,” as the technology is allowed to “do all the work.”  Ms. Goshdigian also spoke of the cost, noting Superintendent Torrez-Rodriguez’s educational strategy as being one of spending millions on outside companies without receiving academic success in return.

Councilman Nick Lebron would respond to Ms. Goshdigian’s comments later in the meeting, likening the fear of AI to the fear schools in Hartford held at the dawn of the internet.  Mr. Lebron stated that “we cannot be fearful of technology.”

After a thorough reading of the resume and without any in-person research or observation, obviously, The Google and Global Silicone Valley Education Fellowship (GSV) has selected Superintendent Torrez-Rodriguez to be one of 24 “exceptional instructional leaders” to be GSV Fellows for 2023-24.   The GSV folks “are committed to working at the intersection of technology and instruction to inform the future of education.” 

Sal Kahn, CEO of Kahn Academy, an HPS contracted partner, has developed an AI tutoring platform, Kahnmigo (soon to be on HPS’ shopping list).   It is an impressive platform and I highly recommend watching Mr. Kahn’s speech and the sampling of Kahnmigo at a recent GSV summit.

In his presentation, Mr. Kahn stated that all the problems and fears of AI “are not unwarranted…some are very real.”  For full disclosure, he even confessed that his platform, Kahnmigo, has made mistakes.  However, Mr. Kahn stated that the dangers of using AI can be mitigated with legitimate “guardrails,” checks on what the platform is providing to the user.  Mr. Kahn said that how AI is used is important to mitigating errors and problems.  He said that AI is not “science fiction,” and, echoing Councilman Lebron, he said we should not fear it, but neither should we go all in without consideration of its use and without putting “guardrails” in place to mitigate negative issues.

With proper collaboration and oversight, AI can be a positive in Hartford Public Schools.  The city council must stand firm on its commitment to not only supporting the district in integrating AI into education, but also to stand firm on its commitment to evaluate how the district is proceeding on this issue.   Left alone in the hands of district leaders and the BOE, it will become just another costly, failed roll of the dice.