Utah’s K-12 AI Education Initiative
Utah is at the forefront of artificial intelligence adoption in K-12 education, thanks to a combination of strategic investment, cross-sector collaboration, and statewide capacity building. Matt Winters, Utah’s AI Education Specialist, shared the state’s approach at the ASU+GSV AI Show in San Diego.
Strategic Framework and Implementation
In April 2024, the Utah State Board of Education released a comprehensive AI framework to guide local districts in developing their own AI policies and practices. By August 2024, Utah launched one of the country’s first statewide Request for Proposal (RFP) processes for school AI tools, enabling publicly funded schools to access vetted, low-cost AI solutions through state-negotiated contracts.
The state has also invested heavily in teacher training and professional development. Six free AI summits were held in September 2024, attracting nearly 700 educators from across the state’s school districts, charter schools, and higher education institutions. These summits provided hands-on experience with AI tools, expert insights, and opportunities for feedback on future initiatives.
Building Infrastructure and Momentum
Utah’s success in AI adoption is built on years of infrastructure development and a culture of innovation. Key initiatives include:
- Universal access to high-speed internet for all public schools through the Utah Education Network
- A recurring $20 million digital teaching and learning grant to support device acquisition, coaching, and ed-tech tools
- Establishment of the Office of AI Policy in 2024 to address legal and regulatory issues related to AI adoption
Scaling Efforts and Future Plans
While current funding supports professional development for about 10% of Utah’s teachers, the goal is to expand this to 50% through additional grant funding. The state is developing:
- An open-source library of AI-integrated lesson plans
- AI literacy modules for grades K-6
- AI-aligned career and technical education courses in collaboration with higher education institutions
The University of Utah is also hosting ‘Hack the Future’ on May 22-23, a collaborative event to develop long-term plans for AI implementation across sectors.
For education agencies looking to replicate Utah’s model, Winters emphasizes the importance of:
- Cultivating a culture of innovation
- Building a robust, collaborative community
- Developing deep expertise in AI education
As Winters noted, ‘Those are the three things that have allowed me to do what I do in the state of Utah, and really excel.’
