A new poll finds that 77% of voters want stricter rules limiting AI use in schools or stronger government standards for how such tools are used. The survey, conducted by the progressive think tank The Century Foundation, shows the concern spans party lines: 76% of Democrats and 80% of Republicans support more oversight.
"We saw a very broad, bipartisan desire for the government to step in and to create some really basic rules of the road," said Julie Margetta Morgan, president of The Century Foundation and a former Biden administration education official.
The poll also found that more than 80% of voters expressed concern about students using AI to complete assignments, whether schools are preparing students for an AI-driven job market, and the impact of AI on student mental health.
"Every type of concern that we tested related to technology - they all tested at 80% or more, so there's really broad concern across the board," Margetta Morgan said.
Classroom reality vs. federal policy
Students and teachers say AI use is already widespread, regardless of what rules exist. "Students are using AI whether I like it or not, it's kind of the way it is now," said Angela Hardin, a high school English teacher in Kentucky.
Sophia Mahajerin, a high school junior in Michigan, described the tradeoff she experiences. "I can ask it anything, and it'll give me an answer," she said. "But I think one of the negatives is that I've become very reliant."
The Trump administration has taken a largely hands-off approach, focusing instead on encouraging AI adoption. Last year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at increasing AI use in education, establishing a "Presidential AI Challenge" and a White House task force. That task force has met at least three times, though officials have released few details about its outcomes.
The Department of Education has issued some guidelines for states and districts seeking federal grants to promote AI in classrooms, but has argued that specific rules should be developed at the state and local level.
"The question before education leaders is not whether technology can support learning, but whether individual tools are selected, implemented, and evaluated in ways that advance specific education goals," said Kirsten Baesler, assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education.
Outdated laws and privacy gaps
Existing federal laws like FERPA and COPPA were written long before the AI era. Privacy advocates argue they contain loopholes that allow companies to train AI models on student data without clear consent. For those working in government, understanding how AI for Policy Makers addresses these gaps is becoming a core part of education oversight.
"We're really in the 'Wild West' here," Margetta Morgan said. "Those rules aren't really equipped for modern situations."
Education Secretary Linda McMahon acknowledged the gap in a recent interview, saying the department "hasn't really talked about regulating AI," but emphasized the importance of guardrails. "We need to embrace this technology, but it has to have guardrails because it's very important that we understand that AI cannot replace a teacher in the classroom," she said.
The White House did not respond to inquiries about the president's approach to AI in schools or Americans' concerns about the technology.
Why this matters for government professionals
School districts are making procurement decisions now that will lock in AI tools for years, often without clear guidance from state or federal authorities. The poll's findings suggest voters expect government at every level - local school boards, state legislatures, and federal agencies - to set boundaries. For public sector employees, the practical question is whether existing procurement rules, privacy laws, and oversight mechanisms are adequate for AI systems that process student data. The Century Foundation data indicates that most Americans don't think they are. Public agencies that wait for federal direction may find themselves answering to constituents who want rules written sooner rather than later. Those involved in education policy can track developments through AI for Education resources as the regulatory picture evolves.
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