Anticipating Illinois’ Guidance on AI in Schools
As artificial intelligence reshapes industries and public services, K-12 educators across Illinois are closely watching the work of the Illinois Generative AI and Natural Language Processing Task Force, established last year by legislative mandate.
Composed of AI experts from a variety of fields, the Task Force’s upcoming report will shape how AI is integrated across many Illinois sectors, including education through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
Currently, the Task force is set to release its recommendations by December 31, 2024. Once their report is published and reviewed, we anticipate that ISBE will release AI guidance for schools, just as 23 other states have already done.
Here are a few ways the Task Force’s recommendations may influence ISBE’s guidance on AI in schools:
Expected Elements for Illinois AI Guidance
AI Literacy and Digital Skills
Like Ohio and Indiana, Illinois will likely emphasize the importance of AI literacy as part of future-proofing its education system. This means blending AI topics into computer science lessons and ensuring students not only know how to use AI tools but also understand how these tools work.
Expect teachers to get resources to make students future-ready with hands-on problem-solving experiences powered by AI.
Responsible and Ethical Use
Illinois will almost certainly spotlight ethical use—an area already prioritized by Washington, Delaware, and Louisiana. The state could lean into frameworks ensuring transparency, fairness, and student privacy.
Whether it’s setting boundaries around facial recognition tools or making AI decisions explainable, the focus will be on human-first policies that put people over machines.
Pilot Programs and Agile Implementation
Illinois may take a page from Arizona and Utah by starting small with pilot projects. This approach lets districts experiment with AI tools, iron out challenges, and build meaningful policies over time.
By refining guidance based on what works in these pilots, Illinois can stay nimble and lead with real-world insights instead of rigid mandates.
Empowering Educators with AI Training
Teachers aren’t just along for the ride—they’ll need continuous professional development. Like Mississippi and California, Illinois will likely emphasize toolkits and training programs to help educators feel confident using AI in the classroom. Think AI-powered lesson planning tools, adaptive assessments, and real-time feedback systems for student progress.
Protecting Academic Integrity Without Stifling Innovation
Expect Illinois to strike a balance between innovation and accountability—something Kentucky and Arizona are already wrestling with. AI tools like ChatGPT can revolutionize learning, but they also pose academic risks like plagiarism. Schools will need policies that protect academic integrity without discouraging exploration. This could mean new guidelines on proper AI use, thoughtful AI-resistant assignments, and a focus on teaching responsible use from day one.
AI-Driven Personalized Learning
Finally, Illinois is likely to embrace the potential of AI to personalize learning—just as states like Louisiana and Oklahoma have done. AI tools could enable educators to tailor lessons to individual students, offering custom pathways for those who need extra support or enrichment.
In this way, Illinois wouldn’t be replacing teachers, but empowering them to better connect with every learner.
Charting a Reliable Path for AI in Illinois
Illinois is perfectly positioned to follow the blueprint many states are adopting—a model that encourages responsible AI integration, respects local flexibility, supports student privacy, and invests in teacher professional development.
What sets Illinois apart may be its willingness to listen, iterate, and lead, refining guidance as technology evolves. Ideally, Illinois’ education leaders will appreciate how AI can be harnessed as a powerful learning, rather than a replacement for human connection.
In short, expect Illinois to balance ambition with practicality. The state will likely lean into pilot programs, AI literacy, and ethical safeguards, while focusing on giving educators the training they need to thrive in this new landscape. It won’t be a quick sprint but a careful marathon—a step-by-step approach to building a future where AI enhances, not replaces, the heart of education.
Stay Tuned for More Update
2025 is just around the corner, and with it, the Task Force’s full report and potential guidance on AI use in Illinois schools.
To keep up with new developments, follow us on social media (@ltcillinois) and join the LTC Community.
Tim directs the Learning Technology Center, providing strategic leadership, expertise, and operational management for statewide technology and digital learning initiatives.
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