Governor-elect Byron Donalds spoke Thursday at an education technology conference in Hollywood, where companies showed off products they hope schools will use in the coming year. The event was organized by LaunchEd, and some of the tools being tested could reach Florida students.
Donalds, who takes office in January, said preparing students for a technology-driven economy matters. He also said a human teacher must remain in every classroom. “There’s no replacing the teacher,” he said.
The state has already set rules for AI instructional tools. Districts must notify parents when the tools will be used and let families opt their children out of the lesson. The tools must be age-appropriate, and the rules bar using technology to meet a student’s social or emotional needs or to psychologically profile students. The requirements take effect for the 2027-28 school year.
Jon Hage, founder of LaunchEd Group, said access to these tools should not depend on family income or ZIP code.
The debate comes as Broward and Miami-Dade schools face declining enrollment and the possible closure of some campuses. Superintendents in both districts pointed to affordability and birth rates. Donalds, a longtime supporter of charter schools and school choice, said traditional public schools still draw most families. More information on South Florida closures is expected before spring.
