As the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education continues to expand, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) believes it's time for Alabama to firmly embrace the technology's benefits for both teachers and students.
On a recent call with reporters, the legislator and GOP candidate for governor explained his view on the subject.
"We've got to teach our kids in the classroom because they're going to learn it regardless," he said. "We've got to teach AI. So far, the schools in our state have opted into training and are giving us extremely positive feedback. We want to make sure that our students can tell what's fake and what's real. That's what learning these programs at a young age does."
Tuberville credited Governor Kay Ivey for issuing a proclamation creating the Governor’s Commission on Screen-Based Instruction to analyze the pros and cons of screen-oriented instruction in public schools across the state.
"Governor Ivey's executive order is a step in the right direction. We will build upon it when we get to the Capitol next year," he added.
According to Tuberville, AI training is imperative for students to succeed in today's technologically driven world.
"We want Alabama students to be the best and brightest in the country. Training them on AI and technology is the least we can do to prepare them for the ever-changing technology landscape," he argued. "But we have to remember this: learn the basics first, learn the ethics first, because it could be used the wrong way."
Continued Tuberville, "We want to train our teachers, and then we want to start teaching at our schools at a young age, and every year, let them advance because AI is not coming; it's already here, and we want to be the leader on it."
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