Otus Forms AI Advisory Board with Educators Across 11 States
Otus, a K-12 software company known for its student progress tracking platform, has created an AI Advisory Board consisting of educators from over 20 school districts spanning 11 states. This group includes teachers, principals, instructional technology specialists, and district administrators representing urban, suburban, and rural schools. Their role is to provide ongoing feedback and insights to ensure Otus’s AI features meet the practical needs of educators.
Addressing Educators' Needs in AI Development
As demand grows for clear guidance on artificial intelligence tools in education, Otus established the advisory board to gather real-world perspectives. The board meets monthly to discuss AI-related challenges and opportunities, helping shape the company’s AI offerings based on frontline experience.
Otus combines student assessment data from multiple sources on its platform to monitor progress and guide instruction. Since its founding by middle school teachers in 2013, Otus now serves 200 school districts and over 1 million students.
Ensuring AI Benefits Schools
Chris Hull, Otus president and co-founder, emphasized the importance of involving educators in AI development. “AI holds incredible potential for K-12 education, but it’s essential we get it right,” Hull said. “Educators should have a seat at the table when it comes to shaping how AI is used in schools.”
The AI Advisory Board helps test new features such as generating student progress reports for parents and identifying areas where students need extra help. Members also share solutions for common concerns, like teacher resistance due to cheating fears.
Practical Solutions for AI Adoption Challenges
Board discussions have tackled teacher concerns about AI misuse by suggesting strategies like:
- Highlighting AI’s relevance to real-world careers
- Introducing AI tools with educator-approved safeguards
- Using AI to promote creativity and student engagement
Caitlin Wlezien, an instructional technology coordinator on the board, shared that participating has helped her better support teachers and students. “It’s been great connecting with other educators, sharing ideas and finding new, creative ways to bring technology into the classroom,” she said.
AI Advisory Boards Emerging in Education and Beyond
Otus’s advisory board reflects a growing trend of involving experts to guide AI integration. For example, America On Tech, a nonprofit focused on tech education and workforce readiness, launched its own AI Advisory Council earlier this year.
As AI tools become more common in classrooms, collaboration between developers and educators will be key to creating useful, trusted solutions.
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