Ohio schools must set AI policies by mid-2026
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All of Ohio's K-12 public schools must adopt a policy on the appropriate use of artificial intelligence by next July, per a mandate in the new state budget.
Why it matters: Many states, including Ohio, have already issued general guidance on addressing staff and student AI use amid the rapid rise of platforms like ChatGPT.
- Ohio is one of the first states to take it another step and require schools to adopt a specific policy.
How it works: The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will first develop a model policy by Dec. 31, which districts can draw inspiration from or adopt outright, the budget states.
- The budget doesn't require AI to be used, though.
Between the lines: The move signals an ongoing mindset shift — from avoiding AI due to concerns about academic plagiarism to embracing it as a transformative educational tool.
The big picture: The White House recently announced an "AI Education Pledge" with commitments from more than 60 companies to provide AI education materials to K-12 students.
- In May, more than 200 CEOs nationwide signed a letter urging state leaders to mandate AI and computer science classes as a high school graduation requirement.
- Ohio State will make AI a part of general education for every major beginning this fall.
Zoom in: Some Ohio districts, such as Worthington, already have policies, and a Columbus Board of Education committee has discussed creating one.
- At a June meeting, Columbus City Schools chief information officer Christopher Lockhart noted the need for flexible guidelines to avoid "handcuffing ourselves" as AI evolves and embeds into other technology.
The other side: The new state budget also limits tech in schools by requiring districts to adopt a policy banning cellphones "during the instructional day" by Jan. 1, 2026.
- There are exceptions, including for emergencies and "for student learning or to monitor or address a health concern."
What we're watching: If any other states follow Ohio's lead in the coming months.
- Tennessee likewise has an AI policy mandate and California is requiring AI literacy education — but much like the tech itself, approaches to regulating AI can change quickly.
The bottom line: "We're at that point where we can't really put that genie back in the bottle," Lockhart said last month. "It's going to become a competitive skill going forward."