For decades, schools have wrestled with technological change (think the internet, personal devices, social media, etc.), but not necessarily as a civic phenomenon. Meanwhile, states are bearing the consequences of declining institutions and political discourse.
That’s why, in partnership with the EDSAFE AI Alliance, CivxNow is excited to release an urgent new report, States of the Union: Rebuilding American Civics for a Digital Republic.
This report is an invitation for state policymakers to consider the civic implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it will impact the next generation—today’s kindergartners who will be high school seniors when the U.S. Constitution turns 250.
While many reports focus on the economic effects of AI, this document emphasizes its civic consequences, specifically how it will influence citizens’ relationships with one another and with core American values like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The report argues that because the U.S. education system is grounded in federalism, states must take action. It proposes several policy levers for state leaders to consider, including:
- Integrating AI into courses with a focus on civic knowledge and skills;
- Providing funding for educator professional development and learning resources;
- Aligning state standards to include data and media literacy;
- Ensuring assessments provide actionable information on students’ civic progress;
- Recognizing schools that use AI to strengthen communities and democracy; and
- Elevating information literacy as a fundamental civic skill for the 21st century.
By implementing these actions, states can ensure that the next 13 years of schooling—from the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to the 250th anniversary of the Constitution—continue to prepare students for informed civic participation.