Ohio Directs Schools to Create AI Use Policy
Ohio is requiring all public schools to adopt formal policies on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms by July 1, 2026, as part of the state’s latest budget.
To support this transition, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce must create a model AI policy by December 31, 2025, and collect information from districts on how AI is currently being used. This marks a significant move toward standardizing how AI is integrated into education statewide.
State Senator Andrew Brenner, chair of the Senate Education Committee, said the requirement stems from a growing recognition that both students and teachers are already using AI.
He emphasized the need for policies to ensure AI is used ethically and productively, supporting learning rather than undermining it. The development of local policies, guided by the state’s model, is expected to foster classroom environments that reflect responsible AI use.
Currently, many districts across Ohio lack formal policies on AI, though some, including Franklin, Tipp City, and Northmont, have already adopted their own.
The Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) offers AI policy templates to its member districts, but according to the OSBA, there is no clear trend in how or whether schools are adopting them. This uneven landscape raises concerns about equity and consistency in how students experience and benefit from AI tools.
This new requirement highlights the broader principle that the right to education must include equitable access to digital learning tools and guidance to use them responsibly.
