Computer Science and CNBC faculty member David Touretzky (CMU Robotics) is leading an effort to establish national guidelines for artificial intelligence education in K-12.
The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) and the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) have formed a joint working group to develop national guidelines for teaching K-12 students about artificial intelligence. Inspired by CSTA’s national standards for K-12 computing education, the “AI for K-12” guidelines will define what students in each grade band should know about about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics. The working group will also create an online resource directory where teachers can find AI-related videos, demo software, and activity descriptions they can incorporate into their lesson plans.
“There is huge public interest in AI right now” said Touretzky. “Adults are excited by the prospect of self-driving cars and intelligent assistants, but also apprehensive about the impact of these technologies on future employment. It’s important that our children be given accurate information about AI so they can understand this technology that is reshaping our lives.”
Dr. Fred G. Martin, chair of the board of directors of CSTA and an Associate Dean at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, said: “Computer science teachers are eager to discuss AI with their students, but may not be that familiar with the subject. The guidelines and resources directory will be constructed by working educators in partnership with AI researchers so that teachers get the support they want.” AAAI President Dr. Subbarao Kambhampati of Arizona State University and incoming President Dr. Yolanda Gil of the University of Southern California’s Information Sciences Institute jointly announced that a workshop led by the “AI for K-12” working group will take place in Washington DC in October as part of the association’s annual Fall Symposium Series. “As the leading professional organization for AI researchers and practitioners, AAAI looks forward to this dialog between AI experts and the educators who will be helping future generations build meaningful, productive lives in the company of intelligent machines,” they said.
For more information, contact ai4k12@aaai.org.