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LOCAL COLUMN

OPINION: Don't use kids as free labor for AI companies

Third-grader Mason Tafoya uses Amira Learning, an AI-powered reading assistant and tutor, at Matheson Park Elementary School in Albuquerque in April.
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I am one of thousands of parents who are fed up with the requirement from Albuquerque Public Schools and the state’s Public Education Department that our kids be exposed to artificial intelligence through Amira Learning.  

The reason families are outraged is because we were never notified this was happening.  We had to find out from our 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds who came home and said, “Amira is like a new teacher but they don’t actually understand me” and “I don’t like reading anymore.” 

Imagine our confusion and frustration as parents. Like most people, I’m doing my best to raise engaged, creative, connected kids who will find their own path, use critical thinking and meaningfully contribute to our community. And as a former public school teacher, I want that for every single kid. 

But adding more screen time to the classroom and having our kids interact with AI bots doesn’t help their development.  I am not anti-tech and our family is far from screen-free, but whatever role new technology should have in our children’s education, it shouldn’t be decided by profit-seeking corporations backed by private equity firms. 

Amidst the frustration, we are now hearing the PED and Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey say they want trust from us, but instead of “thank you for the feedback, here’s a straightforward AI opt-out,” they are choosing to enact a confusing process with unclear steps, required meetings and vague next steps.

They’re treating us like we’re asking for something unreasonable. That’s not a fair characterization, nor does it value the local decision-making process of schools or families. It also raises significant questions about equity, because we know from 10 years of the Yazzie-Martinez ruling that creating new paperwork and confusing processes can be used to avoid accountability and true change. 

I also want to be clear: I want my children to complete reading assessments, just not with voice recordings collected by a private tech company who pinky promises to delete them in 30 days, and only if the district specifically asks.

I wish the PED would have done better independent vetting before deploying this new AI tool statewide.  The studies Amira touts as validating their work include novel/unusual design methods, limited sample sizes and lingering questions about whether or not they demonstrate effectiveness overall, or if they clearly use cause and effect to connect Amira to improved reading outcomes.

The plain truth is that Amira needs our students to use its AI and teachers to correct the errors, so its model can improve and it can make more money selling it to other districts after we’ve been the guinea pigs. My child isn’t free labor to train a tool for corporate profit.

Finally, some APS board members have said that their job is not to respond to pressure or fear. I agree, but that’s exactly what is happening.  It’s just that the pressure is coming from profit-motivated tech executives and the fear tactics are coming from the PED. 

Give every parent a clear, easy-to-submit opt-out for both AI assessment and AI instruction. Invest in community school models that center family and student voices. Show some real leadership. 

And if there are any AI tech or tools worth using, let us first start with real community input and meaningful privacy/safety guardrails that protect every family in our district and across the state. 

Sally DeRadke is the mother of a second grader in Albuquerque Public Schools.