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The Promise and Peril of Artificial Intelligence in Education. Backgrounder No. 3948

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Promise and Peril of Artificial Intelligence in Education. Backgrounder No. 3948
Language: English
Authors: Annie Chestnut Tutor, Jonathan Butcher, Heritage Foundation
Source: Heritage Foundation. 2026.
Availability: Heritage Foundation. 214 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002-4999. Tel: 202-546-4400; Fax: 202-546-8328; e-mail: info@heritage.org; Web site: http://www.heritage.org
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2026
Intended Audience: Policymakers
Document Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Artificial Intelligence, Technology Uses in Education, Elementary Secondary Education, Child Safety, Technology Integration, Federal Government, Risk Management, Affordances, Barriers, Social Media, Child Development, Adolescent Development, Assignments, Financial Support, Educational Policy
Abstract: The second Donald Trump Administration is working to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in education, including by aiding its adoption in K-12 schools. In March 2026, the Administration released "A National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence," that calls on Congress to "protect children" and "empower parents" to monitor their children's use of AI. The framework does not address education specifically. Rather, the document offers broad guidance to Members for drafting legislation, suggesting that officials "establish commercially reasonable, privacy protective, age assurance requirements (such as parental attestation) for AI platforms and services" and "require AI platforms and services likely to be accessed by minors to implement features that reduce the risks of sexual exploitation and self-harm to minors." This guidance will be useful for lawmakers. However, researchers still do not know enough about AI's capabilities--or how to protect students from its potential harms--to justify widespread adoption of AI in classrooms. Federal officials will have to distinguish among categories of AI systems, what they do, and their risk profiles and weigh AI's unique challenges and benefits.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED680954
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The second Donald Trump Administration is working to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in education, including by aiding its adoption in K-12 schools. In March 2026, the Administration released "A National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence," that calls on Congress to "protect children" and "empower parents" to monitor their children's use of AI. The framework does not address education specifically. Rather, the document offers broad guidance to Members for drafting legislation, suggesting that officials "establish commercially reasonable, privacy protective, age assurance requirements (such as parental attestation) for AI platforms and services" and "require AI platforms and services likely to be accessed by minors to implement features that reduce the risks of sexual exploitation and self-harm to minors." This guidance will be useful for lawmakers. However, researchers still do not know enough about AI's capabilities--or how to protect students from its potential harms--to justify widespread adoption of AI in classrooms. Federal officials will have to distinguish among categories of AI systems, what they do, and their risk profiles and weigh AI's unique challenges and benefits.