Building AI for Education That Puts Learning First

AI in Education: The Need for Thoughtful Design

Generative artificial intelligence is becoming a fixture in schools, offering new ways to personalize learning, improve curriculum development, and support teaching. But as AI use grows, a crucial question arises: Will it strengthen learning or undermine it? The future of AI in education depends on collaboration among curriculum providers, school leaders, and policymakers.

We must avoid repeating the edtech craze of the pandemic that focused too much on technology and not enough on education. AI in classrooms is not just about new tools—it’s about making sure these tools serve teachers and students effectively. Without careful safeguards, AI could weaken the foundation of good teaching and learning.

Why Purpose-Built AI Matters

Many AI models are created for general use and later adapted for education. This approach risks introducing bias, misinformation, and misalignment with learning goals. If AI is not built specifically for education, it can increase inconsistencies in instruction, widen learning gaps, and reduce teacher confidence.

To make a real impact, AI must align with how students learn best. Otherwise, its potential benefits will fall short.

AI and High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM)

Efforts over the past decade to bring High-Quality Instructional Materials into K-12 classrooms have shown that research-backed curricula improve student outcomes. Examples like the “Mississippi Miracle” and positive 2024 NAEP results in places like Louisiana and Philadelphia show that focused investment in solid curriculum helps close achievement gaps, especially for underserved students.

However, even when HQIM is adopted, teachers often supplement with outside resources that may be unvetted or misaligned. Studies show teachers spend 7-12 hours weekly sourcing or creating materials, leading to inconsistent lessons and lost instructional time. Introducing AI tools without proper checks could add to this inconsistency.

Promising AI Uses for Teachers

There is growing interest in AI’s potential to support teachers by automating routine tasks. According to a 2023 RAND Corporation study, teachers see value in AI for:

• Supporting students with learning differences
• Generating quizzes and assessments
• Adjusting content to appropriate grade levels
• Creating lesson plans
• Producing assignments like worksheets

But most AI tools today aren’t built with curriculum alignment in mind. This can lead to content that conflicts with district standards, undermining HQIM and widening achievement gaps. Teachers then must spend extra time fixing these issues, negating AI’s time-saving promise.

Ensuring AI Supports Curriculum and Standards

Education leaders emphasize that AI use must stay true to trusted, research-backed curricula and align with state and district priorities. For example, the Louisiana Department of Education’s Fall 2024 guidance stresses that AI integration should maintain the integrity of high-quality instructional materials.

Districts invest heavily in choosing and training teachers on curricula that fit their standards and community needs. AI-generated content like lesson plans and activities should reinforce, not replace, these materials. When AI is curriculum-informed, schools can leverage its benefits without losing instructional quality.

A Responsible Path Forward

To serve K-12 education well, AI innovation must balance opportunity with risk. Responsible AI means content that is safe, accurate, ethical, and academically sound. It requires strict vetting and alignment with research-backed HQIM. This approach reduces the risk of misinformation and bias, protecting both students and the intellectual property of curriculum creators and publishers.

AI can be a helpful tool—but only if its use is intentional and curriculum-aligned. Time saved should never come at the cost of instructional integrity, and personalized learning must keep students connected to core objectives. Above all, educators should feel empowered by AI, not overwhelmed.

The Moment to Decide

AI’s presence in classrooms is no longer a question. The challenge is ensuring it supports teachers, students, and meaningful standards. Thoughtful design—not flashy features—will determine whether AI deepens learning or distracts from it. The future of AI in education depends on the values we embed today and the choices we make.

The opportunity is here. Let’s build AI that truly understands what effective learning requires.