Wong questions which AI tools DOE staff are using
Wong asks specifically which AI tools principals, teachers, and administrators are using. DOE confirms ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot are used by staff, while Perplexity, Claude, and Consensus are not widely used. Wong asks about licensing and whether anyone has evaluated the quality and accuracy of different AI engines.
To Councilmember Wong.
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Chairs.
Based upon what I hear today, AI tools are already being used inside DOE, either by administrators or like principals and teachers.
Can you tell me which tools are being used right now?
Was there a vetting process on the right, like how did you choose these AI tools?
Please answer that.
Thank you.
I want to answer it in a few ways.
All of the tools, the digital tools that we are...
That we have a long list on our website of a lot of digital tools that have been through the IRMA process, which Scott could probably speak to where to find it.
In terms of what's actually being used in schools, we are working currently with our principals and superintendents to gather that information.
Our current guidance is where we struck the fine line that this must have been approved through our IRMA process and adhere to all of our privacy trainings and regulations.
And so at the adult level, there's tools that adults in our charge have adopted, are using for teacher-facing, leader-facing uses.
And then we are also gathering what are the top, all of the different applications that are being used in our schools that the student facing.
We're doing that now.
But as we're collecting that, I just want to be clear, there is a bottom line expectation that these, whatever is in use, is through the IRMA process.
And if not...
Wait, let me be really specific.
Are you using like, with teachers, principals, administrators, are you using ChatGBT?
I'm sure some are.
Okay.
What about perplexity?
Perplexity.
Is it AI engine?
Not widely used.
Okay.
How about Claude?
C-L-A-U-D, no?
Not widely used.
How about Gemini?
Yes.
How about consensus?
Okay.
How about co-pilot?
Yes.
Okay.
Do you have to negotiate licenses for them, or you just open it up and start using?
Because in my understanding that you may need commercial licenses for the site use of these AI engines.
Can you talk about that?
Sure.
Maybe some larger providers like Microsoft and Google have free versions of their Copilot and Gemini and also have paid versions that have expanded capabilities.
In both cases, those products have been approved, and central offices and schools can purchase the advanced features, and staff can use the free features.