Delaware is moving rapidly to introduce artificial intelligence into public education. The state has entered into a statewide contract, with implementation expected to begin as early as February 2026. Yet for a policy decision of this magnitude, the public process has been surprisingly limited. There was no legislative debate, no formal district votes and no clearly articulated framework for how success will be measured. By the time educators, parents and school boards are being briefed, the policy direction is largely settled.
That reality reframes the discussion. The question is no longer whether AI should be used in classrooms; the question is how such consequential decisions are made, and whether they are governed with transparency, accountability and a disciplined focus on student outcomes.
This gap was evident at the Delaware AI Innovation in Education Summit. The event emphasized readiness, reassurance and implementation, but offered little opportunity for genuine deliberation about instructional objectives, performance benchmarks or evidence of effectiveness. When educators asked how AI is improving student learning, presenters struggled to point to concrete data. That omission matters, particularly in a state where reading proficiency and academic achievement remain persistent concerns.
To its credit, the Department of Education has highlighted safety and oversight through its AI Assurance Laboratory, which focuses on privacy, security, accessibility and responsible use. Guardrails are important, especially when new technology is introduced at scale. However, guardrails alone are not sufficient. They manage risk, not results. Safety frameworks must be paired with clear academic goals, transparent measurement and enforceable standards for revision or discontinuation if outcomes do not improve.
AI does have potential in education, particularly as a tool for individualized academic support. In a state with limited capacity for true one-on-one tutoring, AI tools may help provide targeted practice, feedback and differentiated instruction. But that potential should be treated as a hypothesis to be tested, not an assumption to be accepted.
Local decision-making remains an important safeguard. School districts are best positioned to assess whether instructional tools align with needs and priorities. Centralized solutions may appear efficient, but without accountability they risk embedding assumptions – educational or ideological – into classrooms with limited recourse for correction. Transparency, local authority and measurable expectations provide a healthier balance.
AI may ultimately help students. But trust and intention are not substitutes for evidence. The real question is not whether AI will enter our schools, but whether Delaware will insist on governing it wisely.
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