SC Department of Education talks AI in schools

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has shared plans on how AI could be used in the classroom.

During an evaluation with the South Carolina House Legislative Oversight Committee on Wednesday, leaders from the Department of Education presented the agency’s financial overview, internal operations and opportunities for improvement and effectiveness.

Within this, the SCDE talked about their goal to create an AI framework that would not only serve the agency, but help school districts across the state.

The SCDE said they are planning to to partner with the U.S. Digital Response Organization, which they said helped develop an AI framework for the military. The U.S. Digital Response Organization developed a 12-week implementation process where they will review systems currently in place and how to improve them. They will also design policies, train employees, and make recommendations on AI tools, including when to use platforms like ChatGPT.

The department also said AI tools and technology have changed the way students can learn, emphasizing the importance of setting guidelines and a framework to use the tools in a responsible and effective way.

“Now people are starting to step back and say, ‘Okay, well, what is the appropriate technology and when is it appropriate to give it to a student? And how does it best help them learn?'” said Dr. Rebecca Gunnlaugsson, Chief of Staff for SCDE Superintendent Weaver.

Gunnlaugsson said they see the benefits of AI for students as a resource, but not as a way to cut corners on their schoolwork.