Artificial intelligence officially enters education policy
Artificial intelligence is already in the classroom. Now, Florida is establishing limits on how the technology can be used by students and educators.
The State Board of Education unanimously approved new rules on September 16 covering public K-12 schools, charter schools and institutions within the Florida College System.
Parents will have to be notified
One of the biggest changes involves parental consent.
School districts will be required to notify parents when an artificial intelligence tool is made available to students. Its use will require parental consent, and when a family does not authorize it, schools must provide a comparable educational alternative that does not use AI.
AI cannot take on the role of a companion
The new rules also establish restrictions on tools designed to simulate friendship, companionship or emotional relationships with students.
The policy includes requirements involving student privacy and data protection and reinforces that technology should be used as a support tool rather than as a replacement for teachers.
Districts will have time to adapt
Public and charter schools will have until July 1, 2027, to incorporate the new requirements into their local policies.
That means families with students in the Orlando area and across Florida will begin seeing more specific rules governing artificial intelligence in schools.
Source: Florida Department of Education, Florida Administrative Rules and CBS News.
