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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
February 20, 2024




*MEDIA CONTACT:
*Hayley Carducci: (614) 404-8616






What They're Saying: Ohio's AI Education Toolkit

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)?Associations representing Ohio's education and technology communities from across the state shared their support for the AI Toolkit [ [link removed] ] launched by Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted and InnovateOhio last week. The resource empowers policymakers, superintendents, principals, IT staff, teachers, and parents to advance AI literacy in their school district. It also provides resources that help promote student privacy, data security, ethics, and other factors.

What They're Saying

"The Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA) Executive Committee and membership commend the DeWine Administration and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted for their visionary approach in creating an AI implementation toolkit for schools and districts in partnership with aiEDU. This forward-thinking initiative not only equips students with essential skills for the future but also strengthens our workforce and fosters innovation. Their commitment to preparing students for the digital age is commendable and sets a promising path for the state's educational and economic future. Ohio?s Educational Service Centers (ESCs) stand ready to support the administration and Ohio?s students and educators."

*"-Craig Burford, Executive Director of the Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA)"*

"OASBO is pleased to endorse the Guidance and Resources to Promote AI Readiness in Ohio Schools toolkit. This comprehensive toolkit will enable school communities to advance AI literacy in their districts by collecting the best resources in one place and identifying their ideal use and audience. Additionally, this resource will serve as a definitive starting point for addressing crucial factors like student privacy, data security, and ethics."

*"-Katie Johnson, Interim Executive Director of the Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO)"*

"The AI Toolkit is a significant step forward in preparing Ohio?s educators to embrace the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. For our schools to meaningfully and safely use AI in the classroom, they need resources and guidance to navigate this new frontier, and this document provides those tools. We were proud to contribute to the development of this important resource and hope it will assist schools across the state to take the next step in utilizing this new technology.

"We commend Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted for their leadership on this cutting-edge issue."

*"-Paul Imhoff, Director of Governmental Relations for the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA)"*

"As a strong advocate for improving educational outcomes by embracing the newest technologies, Ohio Excels applauds the launch of the InnovateOhio AI Toolkit. It?s clear that this development will strengthen K-12 education in the current transformational digital age. This exciting new resource holds great promise to empower our educators by enabling them to spearhead AI literacy initiatives within their school districts. In addition, we believe this toolkit represents a crucial step towards responsibly integrating AI into education, ensuring that every student has access to a future-ready learning environment. We encourage all stakeholders to embrace the AI Toolkit and help propel our education system into a new era of innovation, equity, and excellence."

*"-Lisa Gray, President of Ohio Excels"*

"On behalf of the members of the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA) and the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA), we wish to thank Lt. Governor Jon Husted for his focus on providing tools for the education community around the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a school setting. It is important that educators and school leaders have the resources they will need as this new technology becomes more and more accessible to students and teachers.

"Representing school building leaders and education administrators, we look forward to continuing to work with you and InnovateOhio as educators begin utilizing the new AI Toolkit. We want to be sure our members are equipped to support the teachers for whom they supervise as we all become more familiar and adept at utilizing AI. We appreciate being included as stakeholders by permitting us to provide feedback during the development process for the education toolkit."

*"-Joint Statement from Tim Freeman, Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA) and Becky Hornberger, Executive Director *"of the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA)"*"*

"Artificial intelligence will have a transformational impact on Ohio and our economy. The AI Toolkit equips educators and students with a powerful guide and essential resources to explore the limitless possibilities of AI in every school across the state. ?We applaud Lt. Governor Jon Husted for his leadership on technology issues like AI and for his goal to make Ohio the most innovative and entrepreneurial state in the Midwest. OhioX's partnership in crafting the AI Toolkit underscores the tech industry's commitment to fostering innovation in Ohio and building a strong tech-focused workforce.

"Thanks to the AI Toolkit, Ohio's students will be more AI-ready in a rapidly changing global innovation economy."

*"-Chris Berry, President of OhioX"*

"The Ohio School Boards Association is pleased to support Lt. Gov. Jon Husted?s efforts to create a resource to help school administrators, board members, teachers and staff leverage AI in schools. The toolkit provides a starting point for districts seeking to use this technology. We appreciate the opportunity to provide input on this initiative. While technology cannot replace the impact of teachers, district administrators and staff in a student?s life, it can offer new options to enhance curriculum and streamline daily processes that lead to student success."

"*"-Mark E. Bobo, Director of Member Relations for the Ohio School Boards Association"*"

"On behalf of the Ohio Association of Career Technical Superintendents (OACTS) I write to express our enthusiastic support for the announcement of the AI Toolkit as a resource for school districts in Ohio. We believe that this toolkit will play a crucial role in enhancing education through the efficient, effective, and safe use of artificial intelligence.

"As leaders in career technical education, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve in terms of technological advancements. The integration of AI into education has the potential to dramatically change the way students learn and our teachers prepare students for careers.

"This resource will contribute to the growth and success of our students, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the future. We look forward to the implementation of the AI Toolkit and the positive impact it will have on all schools."

"*-Margaret A Hess, Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Career Technical Superintendents (OACTS)*"

"The Ohio Innovation and Technology Association (OITA), the state?s trade group for the tech-economy, applauds Lt. Governor Husted and the administration for developing the most robust set of tools and resources in the nation that provide foundational guidance for artificial intelligence (AI). The AI toolkit will help Ohioans who are wanting to learn about AI and use it for good in a safe and ethical manner.? Lt. Governor Husted has made it a priority to ensure educators, families, students, and policy makers are equipped for the future with this developing technology. OITA?s members are some of the world?s largest and most advanced tech organizations and are on the frontlines of new technologies used in the public and private sector."

*"-Bobby Kovey, President of the Ohio Innovation and Technology Association (OITA)"*

"Over the past few years, AI has become a part of every aspect of our lives--including education. The explosion of AI has left schools playing catch up to devise strong policies around the new technology. For district and school leaders, this new resource couldn't come at a better time.? InnovateOhio and Lt. Governor Husted deserve tremendous credit for leading on this time-sensitive and critical issue.?

"The toolkit expertly pulls together a wealth of resources--from leading organizations around the world--on developing effective AI policy and guidelines. Increasing its utility, the toolkit has sections tailored specifically for policy makers, teachers, and parents.

"School leaders across Ohio are increasingly tasked with developing policy on AI. This toolkit will be a vital resource as they devise policies that take advantage of everything that AI has to offer while protecting student privacy and academic rigor."

*"-Chad Aldis, Vice President for Ohio Policy for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute"*

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