Artificial Intelligence (AI), the ability of computer systems to perform tasks normally associated with human intelligence, is sweeping the world.
As Bloomberg reports, AI has moved from the edges of technology to “becoming a hub of economic activity that is powering hardware, cloud platforms, advertising, gaming, and enterprise services.”
It further notes that the collection, use, and reach of AI is expanding across multiple industries such as healthcare, retail, and financial services, improving productivity and reshaping long-standing business models.
Washington, and many states nationally, are moving to become AI proficient in many areas, inclusive of education.
The question is, will American students be able to compete and partake of AI ‘s benefits?
In the Sunshine State, The Florida Board of Education passed rules requiring school districts to amend their internet safety regulations so they include AI.
Additionally, the board is now requiring state colleges to establish limitations on AI use in schools. This represents excellent, needed, and forward thinking.
‘Nation’s Report Card’
Under the policy, K-12 schools will be required to notify parents if their student will be using an AI product and ask parents’ consent for such use.
If parents refuse, the district will have to offer a non-AI instructional alternative similar in instructional quality.
This is actually good news.
It sounds great for students proficient enough in basic reading and math to take advantage of AI’s benefits.
Unfortunately, a significant number of American students will not be able to meet the challenges, potential, and opportunities of AI and will struggle to not be left behind in the AI stampede.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon put the situation in perspective last year when she shared the deplorable statistics from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as “The Nation’s Report Card”:
“At a critical juncture when students are about to graduate and enter the workforce, military, or higher education, nearly half of America’s high school seniors are testing below basic levels in math and reading.”
She went on to add that, “Despite spending billions annually on numerous K-12 programs, the achievement gap is widening, and more high school seniors are performing below the basic benchmark in math and reading than ever before.”
The gap
Specifically, statistics show that a notable achievement gap persists between white, Black, and Hispanic students:
In 2024, Black students had an average score that was 43 points lower than that for white students. This performance gap was wider than that in 2003 (29 points).
In 2024, Hispanic students had an average score that was 33 points lower than that for white students. This performance gap was wider than that in 2003 (19 points).
In 2024, students who were identified as economically disadvantaged had an average score that was 35 points lower than that for students who were identified as not economically disadvantaged. This performance gap was wider than that in 2003 (19 points).
In terms of progress, “Black and Latino students continue to score lower than their white peers.”
These education statistics should challenge America’s ability to meet the challenges of AI.
The other issue is the role of AI in shaping the labor market and its impact on jobs in healthcare, education, and other industries.
Will people lose their jobs in customer relations, sales and marketing to machines and human-sounding robots?
As has been noted in the space, this writer is pleasantly surprised when calling customer support for numerous American companies and hears an American-sounding voice from the United States instead of “Tommy” in the Philippines or “Karen” in India, or “Todd” in Mexico, speaking broken English in a heavy accent, and often times difficult to understand.
AI burial ground
American business executives seemingly believe outsourcing jobs to India, the Philippines, or Mexico can provide more significant profit margins than hiring Americans in Florida, Utah, Kansas, or South Carolina.
Will those same executives now use AI to eliminate and totally automate even those foreign outsourced jobs already replacing Americans, putting American workers even deeper in the aftermath, that is the AI burial ground?
Until American companies make a real effort to train and employ Americans for the positions now outsourced, and until our educational system provides them with a qualified talent pool, get used to talking to “Tommy” in the Philippines and robot-sounding employees with English-sounding aliases.
Clarence V. McKee is president of McKee Communications, Inc., a government, political, and media relations and training consulting firm in Florida. He is the author of “How Obama Failed Black America and How Trump Is Helping It.” The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Daytona Times.