Chicago school board candidates pledge to ban AI use

Approximately half of the 45 candidates running for seats on the Chicago Public Schools board have committed to a three-year ban on AI usage for students and staff. The pledge, drafted by a local nonprofit, also seeks to eliminate screen time for children under third grade and restrict it for older students. Additionally, it calls for the appointment of a chief privacy officer and a strict prohibition on collecting student biometric data, such as voice recordings generated by literacy software.

Advocates argue that the risks of current AI technology currently outweigh its benefits. Cassie Creswell, who leads a parent advocacy group, stated that it is entirely possible to provide a comprehensive education with low-tech methods. The group aimed to leverage the city’s first election to choose all 21 board members to secure these commitments, though they have also urged the current board to consider similar restrictions this fall.

Critics argue the ban is too restrictive

Some educators and former district leaders believe the pledge goes too far. Janice Jackson, a former Chicago Public Schools CEO, described an outright ban as unproductive. She argued that schools have a responsibility to help students access technology safely rather than denying them the tools entirely. Critics worry that removing AI from schools prevents educators from teaching students how to navigate the technology responsibly.

The district has taken a cautious approach to AI integration. Chicago Public Schools recently shelved a plan to give high school students access to Google’s Gemini chatbot. Officials stated this was an aspirational plan that was paused to prioritize educator training and school readiness, not because of a blanket prohibition. The district maintains that it embraces AI’s potential while safeguarding student data privacy.

Balancing privacy and critical thinking

Board member Debby Pope, who signed the pledge, expressed concern that AI could undermine students' ability to think creatively and identify misinformation. She emphasized the need for caution to ensure students develop critical thinking skills and understand the importance of using multiple information sources. However, she also acknowledged the challenge of teaching students about AI pitfalls if the technology is completely banned.

The debate reflects a broader national trend where parents are pushing back against education technology. While some candidates, like Ellen Rosenfeld, share the privacy concerns without supporting a total ban, others see the pledge as a necessary step. The district has noted that a group of high school students recently designed a Student Voice AI Council and drafted a playbook, indicating an ongoing effort to engage students in these discussions.

Local efforts mirror national privacy concerns

This local push is part of a wider movement among parents who are skeptical of AI-powered software in classrooms. According to GN technics/ai (en-US), the controversy centers on the trade-off between leveraging new tools for learning and protecting sensitive student data. The outcome of the Chicago elections could set a precedent for how other districts handle the integration of artificial intelligence in public education.

The core tension remains unresolved: whether schools should restrict access to protect privacy and foster independent thinking, or whether they should adopt these tools to prepare students for a digital future. Both sides agree that student well-being is paramount, but they disagree fundamentally on the best path to achieve it. As the election approaches, the issue of AI in schools is likely to remain a central point of discussion among voters and educators alike.