Rhode Island is responding to the digital age through financial support and legislation.
This story is part of a series covering the usage and development of technology within the classroom.
Welcome to Technology in Education, where we explore the latest in learning, technology, and innovation shaping our classrooms. Today, we’re diving into how Rhode Island is navigating the digital age, from affordable internet access to the rise of artificial intelligence in schools.
Let’s start with a program that’s quietly making a huge difference in classrooms and libraries across the state: the E-Rate Program, supported here in Rhode Island by the Telecommunications Education Access Fund, or RITEAF. These programs work together to make sure schools and libraries get affordable internet and telecommunications services.
Through E-Rate, schools and libraries can receive discounts ranging from 20 to 90 percent, depending on factors like poverty levels and whether they serve urban or rural communities. But it’s important to know what E-Rate covers; it pays for full internet access, not devices like Chromebooks or iPads. E-Rate has a set of strict forms and requirements for libraries applying.The most important of which is that they must comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, or CIPA.
This means libraries have to enforce internet safety policies that protect minors from harmful or inappropriate content. Libraries must also use technology filters to block obscene or dangerous material and hold public meetings to discuss these policies. Public meetings ensure that communities have a say in how internet safety is managed locally.
Switching gears now, let’s talk about something that’s on the minds of many educators and families: the rise of Artificial Intelligence in education.
AI tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and PhotoMath are increasingly being used by students to assist with writing, research, and solving math problems. According to recent surveys from the Rhode Island Department of Education, about 78% of educators are concerned that students might use these tools to cheat or bypass learning.
Yet, it’s not all to worry. Around 36% of students say AI actually helps them learn better by providing guidance and support when they’re stuck. So, what are the benefits of AI in education? For one, it can help personalize learning. Imagine a classroom where lessons are tailored to each student’s unique needs, especially kids learning English as a secondary or other language. AI can design language instruction that matches their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, helping them progress more effectively.
But with these benefits, there come important risks that must also be acknowledged. One major concern is the potential for widespread academic dishonesty. When students rely too heavily on AI, they might skip the hard work of thinking critically and solving problems on their own. Research from Carnegie Mellon University highlights this perfectly: When students use AI to generate essays or responses, they miss the chance to engage deeply with the material. While a lot of schools don’t have specific technology they use to detect AI use, teachers have started to use their own
This brings us to an important point: AI should be a tool to aid in learning, not to replace it. Students and educators need to learn how to use AI as a thoughtful partner rather than a shortcut that bypasses effort and growth.
In Rhode Island, this balance is being carefully considered by the AI Task Force, created by Governor Dan McKee in 2024. This group is led by former Congressman Jim Langevin and is charged with guiding how AI is adopted across the state — not just in schools, but also in government and industry.
Jim Langevin also serves as the chair for Rhode Island College’s Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, giving him a deeper informational understanding of the expanding use of AI in education. Their plan is that by 2030, they want AI education integrated across all levels, from kindergarten through higher education. This means AI literacy is quickly becoming a must-have skill. But the task force also stresses responsibility. They’re working on policies to ensure AI is used safely, ethically, and equitably, making sure all students have access to these tools and no one is left behind.
Did you know that research shows 66% of business leaders won’t hire candidates without AI skills? And 71% would rather hire someone less experienced who knows AI than someone more experienced who doesn’t. These statistics come from the 75-page report outlined by Jim Langevin. The report includes a plan that the 24 task force members said would position the state as a national leader in AI adoption.
So, what does this all mean for parents, teachers, and students?
It means Rhode Island is making important strides to bridge the digital divide, ensuring affordable internet for all and thoughtfully integrating AI into education. But it also means we have to stay vigilant about how these technologies are used.
How can we do that?
We can do that by trying to educate and raise awareness by hosting events such as community workshops, organizing sessions to explain what AI in education really means. Using these sessions to talk about its benefits, risks, and how it’s being integrated locally, providing parents with accessible summaries of school policies on AI use, internet safety (like CIPA), and technology access programs like E-Rate. And lastly, by asking parents to encourage active engagement with learning. Such as supporting critical thinking at home, promoting hands-on activities, and monitoring children’s AI use.
Thank you for joining us for “Technology in Education.”
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