Maryland Ranks Second in AI Education Searches-What That Means for Your Program
Maryland is second in the nation for online searches related to AI education topics, just behind Virginia. An analysis from eLearning Industry looked at 28 AI education keywords across all 50 states, adjusted per 100,000 residents.
Virginia led with 60.87 searches, Maryland followed at 58.96, and New Jersey posted 54.67. Released in December 2025, the data points to surging curiosity among schools, employers, and the public as AI moves deeper into learning and workforce preparation.
What the skills gap looks like
Phillip Snalune, co-founder of the AI learning platform Codio, urged higher education to move beyond passive use of AI. "Higher education must prioritize immersive, hands-on instruction over passive reliance on AI-generated answers," he said in an interview.
Codio's survey of executives and vice presidents at large U.S. companies found a clear priority: "The No. 1 skill enterprises are looking for is AI oversight and governance," Snalune said. At the same time, a Digital Education Council study shows 80-90 percent of students use AI regularly, but employers still struggle to find candidates with practical skills like AI management, applied usage, and data literacy.
"The technology is clearly moving faster than curricula are being modernized," Snalune added. That gap is fueling anxiety for instructors and inconsistent outcomes for learners.
Academic integrity without shutting the door on AI
Educators have valid concerns about cheating. Tools like Codio's AI assistant Coach aim to meet students where they are-explaining errors in plain language and guiding problem-solving without handing out direct answers.
The goal is simple: keep the learning authentic, keep feedback timely, and help students build real competence they can transfer to work.
Maryland's statewide push
Maryland is acting on policy and support structures to meet demand. The Department of Information Technology submitted a 2025 AI Enablement Strategy and Study Roadmap to the General Assembly to accelerate ethical adoption across domains, including education.
The Maryland State Department of Education has created AI cybersecurity policies, launched an AI Education Committee and resource website, and joined the TeachAI community for collaboration. Senate Bill 906, introduced March 4, 2025, requires comprehensive AI guidelines for K-12 by August 1, 2026, with an emphasis on ethical implementation.
Districts and campuses moving first
- Prince George's County Public Schools: Three-year plan focused on professional learning, ethics, and curriculum integration.
- University of Maryland: Online AI Literacy module embedded in 350 courses, plus a new Master of Science in artificial intelligence for working professionals.
- Community College of Baltimore County: Pursuing an associate's degree in AI with transfer pathways to bachelor's programs.
Virginia's momentum
Virginia has embedded AI within state computer science standards, funded professional development, and issued guidance for ethical use from K-12 through higher ed. Executive Order 30 directed the Virginia Department of Education to provide resources for AI use, while institutions like Virginia Tech are building workforce-aligned AI programs.
Why interest is high in the DMV
Proximity to federal agencies and tech employers increases demand for AI fluency and governance skills. Southern Maryland residents-especially in Calvert, St. Mary's, and Charles counties-benefit from access to nearby University of Maryland programs that emphasize AI ethics, personalized learning, and career empowerment.
Action plan for educators and academic leaders
- Set explicit AI outcomes: Define what students should be able to do with AI tools (analysis, prompting, verification, governance, and documentation).
- Shift to hands-on labs: Replace generic Q&A work with projects, model evaluations, error analysis, and audit exercises.
- Teach oversight and governance: Add modules on bias reviews, policy compliance, data privacy, and human-in-the-loop workflows.
- Redesign assessment: Use process evidence (drafts, prompts, logs) and oral checks to deter cheating while keeping AI in scope.
- Invest in faculty PD: Provide short sprints on prompt design, verification techniques, and course policies that reduce risk.
- Build data literacy: Emphasize data collection, cleaning, documentation, and ethics as core skills across programs.
- Start small, scale fast: Pilot in high-enrollment courses, capture what works, and publish templates others can adopt.
What to watch in 2025-26
Maryland's roadmap calls for sustained stakeholder engagement, surveys, and iterative policy updates to support local school systems. The priority is clear: use AI to enhance learning, not replace it.
Resources
- eLearning Industry - industry analysis and updates on AI in learning.
- TeachAI - frameworks and guidance for AI in K-12 and higher ed.
- Complete AI Training: Courses by Job - curated courses to upskill educators, instructional designers, and academic staff.
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