Statement by NYC Comptroller Lander on the Proposed Use of a Reading Artificial Intelligence Aid in Classrooms

NEW YORK, NY – Ahead of tomorrow’s Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) meeting, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander calls on the Department of Education (DOE) to pull a $1.9 million contract for an interactive Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based reading platform, EPS Learning, from the agenda because DOE has yet to study the efficacy of AI or establish an AI-in-classrooms policy: 

“Before we spend millions on an AI program that could shape our kindergartners’ reading abilities, let’s make sure we’re doing this right. While AI presents innovative opportunities to help teachers be more effective and improve student outcomes, the DOE’s plans to approve a contract for AI technology in our classrooms before studying its effects or developing any guidelines is premature.  

“The DOE should immediately pull this item from the PEP meeting agenda while it evaluates the effectiveness of AI classroom aids and develops a citywide policy in dialogue with educators, parents, and students for the appropriate use of AI in classrooms. An established policy must be in place before we approve contracts like these to protect student data privacy and thoughtfully balance the use of innovative technology with meaningful personal interactions with teachers.”  

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