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Georgia lawmakers to tackle AI during next session
Artificial intelligence continues to expand rapidly across dozens of industries. Now, Georgia lawmakers have begun the work to create new policies around its use in K-12 schools statewide.
ATLANTA - With the rise of artificial intelligence across dozens of industries, the possibilities—both good and bad—seem truly endless.
Those possibilities were the subject of two studies Georgia state lawmakers conducted ahead of the 2025 legislative session where they’re expected to begin crafting policy around use of AI in many sectors including K-12 education.
"It really is an exciting time…AI has the ability to help teachers teach," Republican state Rep. Brad Thomas told FOX 5. "Our job is to set up good guard rails, but to do it in a way that doesn’t stifle any innovation."
Those "guard rails" include liability standards to protect against deep fakes as well as policies for ethical use of AI and data privacy.
"There’s a lot of data that goes into AI systems…and the rights that you have as individuals as citizens of the state…I think that’s a big thing we have to tackle," Thomas explained.
Another major issue Georgia lawmakers hope to tackle using AI is the state’s literacy rate. A 2022 study by the National Assessment of Educational Progress showed only 32 percent of Georgia fourth graders and 31 percent of eighth graders were proficient in reading.
Thomas, who serves as vice chair of the Georgia House Technology, Infrastructure and Innovation Committee, says he believes it could help bridge the gap for students falling behind.
"Every time technologies come in, humanity has benefitted from it," he told FOX 5.
Professor David Schweidel of Emory’s Goizueta Business School says the technology is far from perfect.
"One of the things that’s critical in an education setting is accuracy and that’s another concern with these AI models…how do we make sure that the AI doesn’t just make up something completely?" he said.
Schweidel told FOX 5 he agrees with the idea of using AI to revolutionize the way Georgia students learn.
"We have to accept that AI is here. The genie is out of the bottle…(so) how do we incorporate this technology and use it to supplement what we’re already doing rather than see it as a threat?" he said.
The Georgia House committee should have its report on AI completed by Dec. 19. The legislative session resumes on Jan. 13, 2025.
The Source: This story is based on statements from State Rep. Brad Thomas and Prof. David Schweidel. It touches on the prospects of AI in enhancing literacy rates and includes details from a National Assessment of Educational Progress study, all contributing to a report by a Georgia House committee.