Assembly Bill 2876, which takes effect next year, was authored by state Assemblyman Marc Berman, a Democrat who represents parts of the Peninsula and South Bay. Newsom signed the bill on Wednesday.
"AI has the potential to positively impact the way we live, but only if we know how to use it, and use it responsibly," Berman said. "Children and young people today must navigate a world — and job market — transformed by fast-moving AI technology."
In Marin, educators are already in their second round of training on artificial intelligence, said Laura Trahan, assistant superintendent at the Marin County Office of Education. Beginning in January, Marin school leaders took courses offered by the county on the principles of AI and also the ethics.
This fall, a new series started that will drill deeper on using AI as a tool to enhance lesson planning and curricula, Trahan said. More ethics training, specifically on policy development for responsible use of AI, also will be provided, she said.
"We are currently launching two interactive series this fall, 'AI for Maximizing Productivity' and 'AI for Deeper Learning,'" Trahan said. "As a county office of education, we recognized the importance of supporting educators and leaders in understanding AI and its use as a tool to enhance their capacity to teach and lead in this evolving landscape."
In Mill Valley, school parent Sam Keller said he supports the new state law and Marin's efforts to get ahead of the game by offering staff training. At the same time, he and his son Kaz, a student at Tamalpais High School, also want to promote AI training for students so youths in Marin can lead their peers in developing skills.
"Integrating AI literacy into K-12 education works best when students themselves are actively engaged in both the design and delivery of the curriculum," said Keller, co-founder, with his son, of Gen AI Academy at genaiacademy.ai.
"By involving students in this manner, it is possible to create a highly stimulating educational environment where they feel empowered and take genuine ownership of their AI learning journey," Keller said.
At the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District, the district has an "ongoing commitment to staying current," said Brett Geithman, the superintendent. District staff have already taken training sessions and are participating in various study groups with other educators.
"With an AI training for staff planned this fall, our goal is to build the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to integrate AI into classrooms in a safe, responsible and exciting way," Geithman said.
Similarly, the Reed Union School District administration and faculty are working to explore applications for AI, said Kimberly McGrath, the superintendent. McGrath was named last year to a statewide AI panel that met in San Francisco.
"We envision a future where students are not only digital natives but also AI-savvy individuals capable of navigating and utilizing AI tools responsibly and ethically," McGrath said. "To achieve this, embedding AI principles, understanding and literacy across various subject areas is a logical step."
McGrath added, however, that ethics concerns remain paramount.
"We will emphasize the importance of data privacy, bias in AI algorithms and the responsible use of AI technology," she said. "By fostering a critical understanding of AI, we aim to empower students to become informed and ethical digital citizens that utilize critical thinking skills across all subject areas."
According to Newsom's office, AI literacy is defined as the knowledge, skills and attitudes associated with how artificial intelligence works. That includes AI principles, concepts and applications, as well as how to use artificial intelligence, including its limitations, implications and ethical considerations.
The timing on implementing AB 2876 is tied into the schedule of a state education panel called the Instructional Quality Commission. The commission is directed by AB 2876 to add the AI literacy requirements in when it does its next revision, possibly sometime next year.
Keller agrees with Marin educators and state legislative leaders about the importance of AI literacy in K-12 schools.
"Mandating AI literacy is not just a good thing — it's essential," Keller said.
"AI literacy goes beyond preparing students for the future job market," he said. "It equips them to be informed citizens capable of understanding, questioning and influencing how AI is developed and used in society."
He said California schools could gain ideas from AI curricula already in place in Japan, North Korea and the U.S.
"North Carolina's comprehensive AI literacy framework and New Jersey's integration of AI into digital citizenship and computer science standards show how AI can be embedded into core subjects," Keller said.
"Drawing on these examples, California can weave AI literacy into existing standards, ensuring it becomes a natural extension of what students are already learning," he said.
If Marin also added student-led AI initiatives, it could accelerate the process, Keller said.
"By championing youth-led AI initiatives where students play an active role in designing, developing and delivering AI literacy modules, Marin could create a thriving ecosystem of young AI educators and leaders," Keller said.
The initiatives could include "peer-led workshops, hackathons and student-driven projects that foster a culture of innovation and collaboration," Keller said.
©2024 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
