To help you understand the trends surrounding AI and other new technologies and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts. (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe.) You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…
In past years, schools have raced to adopt smartboards, laptops and learning apps. Now, artificial intelligence is the latest tech craze inspiring high hopes of improving education.
AI teacher training
Already, most teachers are being provided AI training, according to recent research by the RAND Corporation. Three-quarters of K-12 districts will have provided training on AI use by this fall, though the training varies widely and is most often optional. But dealing with AI isn’t an option as students increasingly use AI tools, such as ChatGPT, on their own for homework and research, and the issue of AI plagiarism gets worse.
Cue a new White House initiative that aims to give K-12 students basic AI competency and to train teachers on best practices. The executive order includes a nationwide competition to highlight top AI uses, a push for public-private partnerships, and new federal funding for AI projects. There will also be a focus on apprenticeships and career options for high schoolers. The goal is to “ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in this technological revolution.”
The new federal effort aims to address one of the big current roadblocks. There is “a scarcity of external experts who are capable of providing appropriate training” for teachers, RAND found. One school leader told RAND that AI best practices simply don’t exist yet: “There are people that are claiming to have the best practices and are making money hand over fist.” The executive order aims to establish comprehensive AI teacher training and professional development.
Pushback from schools and parents
It will be a huge challenge to improve education outcomes with AI, though, as schools are tasked with adding AI in all subjects to students as young as kindergartners. Many schools are struggling to lift test scores back to pre-pandemic levels, and the adoption of AI is sure to be rocky.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Pushback from teachers and parents will be common, with worries about the risks of generative AI and the potential of it hindering learning. AI adoption could come into tension with the push to get smartphones and screens out of classrooms so kids can focus. Plus, measuring AI’s effect on educational outcomes could take years and will require careful tracking and data collection.
But there are lots of potential benefits of AI: Students can get a personalized, conversational tutor. Teachers can get help with administrative tasks, training and curriculum creation. And students graduate with in-demand AI know-how.
Education tech
The trend will open the floodgates to spending on AI education tech. There will be a shift of federal education funding and grants to all sorts of AI efforts, prompted by the recent White House action. Private organizations are likely to spend big on new AI initiatives. Meanwhile, states and local districts will budget more for AI tech. Expect some states to go all-in, while others go slow.
The new AI investment will go to large companies, such as Microsoft and Google; AI labs, such as OpenAI and Anthropic; and a range of edtech players and other start-ups.
This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
Related Content
- Six Ways to Use AI to Improve Your Financial Life
- The AI Doctor Coming to Read Your Test Results
- How AI Will Impact Our Lives in 2025 and Beyond
- Can Stocks Picked by Artificial Intelligence Beat the Market?
-
Where to Invest in an Uncertain MarketIn an uncertain market, you can still pocket juicy payouts ranging from 4% to 14%, depending on risk.
-
How to Budget for College Expenses Beyond TuitionSome universities waive tuition for families with incomes below a certain threshold. But you'll still need a plan to cover other costs.
-
How to Budget for College Expenses Beyond Tuition
Some universities waive tuition for families with incomes below a certain threshold. But you'll still need a plan to cover other costs.
-
Ask the Editor, May 16 — Reader Questions on Capital GainsIn our latest Ask the Editor round-up, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter Editor, answers three questions from readers on capital gains.
-
What to Expect as Tariffs Reach CarsHigher vehicle prices and delayed repairs are among the potential effects.
-
How to Be Your Own Consumer WatchdogBig changes are afoot at federal agencies. Make these moves to protect yourself financially.
-
Travel Deals for Retirees: Hotels, Cruises and MoreOlder adults can access special discounts on a variety of travel deals, including hotel stays, airfare, car rentals, cruises, attractions, and entertainment.
-
How to Cancel a CheckIf you need to cancel a check you've written, here's how you do it.
-
How to Get Your Finances Back on Track After a DivorceTaking charge of your money after a divorce will feel daunting, especially when you're faced with a lower income. The key is tackling your to-do list in stages.
-
Six Ways to Use AI to Improve Your Financial LifeWhile they can't replace human advisers, AI-based tools can take some of the guesswork out of financial tasks — from budgeting to filing taxes and investing.
