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California has passed a law to ensure that its K-12 students will be taught by humans and not artificial intelligence.
Assembly Bill 2148, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on June 30, amended the California education code to make clear that school staff and contractors in public schools are to be “natural people.”
Initially the bill proposed sweeping restrictions on the use of AI and other education technology in both K-12 and higher education, including prohibitions against requiring staff to use education technology or relying on AI-generated information to make employment decisions, according to an analysis of the bill.
Legislators substantially amended the bill because of concerns over how it would be implemented. Instead, lawmakers focused on ensuring that AI could not replace school staff.
“As AI and automated decision systems become more common in schools, we must ensure that educators are not forced to use or be evaluated by technology that undermines their professional judgment or puts their jobs at risk,” said Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, in the author’s statement. “AB 2148 protects educators’ autonomy and ensures technology serves educators rather than replacing or penalizing them.”
The bill takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
