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"The rise of AI tools in education brings opportunities for educators to personalize learning experiences. Therefore, effective strategies to build AI literacy must include a multifaceted approach that includes curriculum development support, ongoing professional development and coaching, allows community engagement, as well as clear policy and guidance for responsible and effective use of AI-powered tools." — Universal Connectivity Imperative , SETDA 2025
Over the past three years, generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools have rapidly become accessible to students, educators, and school communities. These tools—ranging from large language models to image and audio generators—offer exciting opportunities as well as significant risks and challenges. Educators across the Commonwealth are navigating how to harness these tools to support teaching and learning, while also addressing emerging concerns related to academic integrity, bias, data privacy, misinformation, and instructional quality.
DESE's Office of EdTech (OET) and Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) team are collaborating to navigate this emerging technology and chart a responsible course. OET and DLCS teams partnered with ISTE+ASCD to convene a K–12 AI Task Force focused on developing recommendations to support school communities in their use of AI. The Task Force concluded its initial phase of work in the Fall of 2024. Based on the Task Force recommendations, the following Multi-Year AI Roadmap was developed.
Information will be updated in this section to provide AI-related resources and support as the Department continues in its work on the Multi-Year AI Roadmap.
The Department is currently working with multiple vendors to create MA-specific AI resources related to: developing AI literacy for students, staff, and caregivers; creating local AI usage guidelines and policies; and training in student data privacy. Resources are expected to be published in the Summer of 2025.
DESE contracted with ISTE+ASCD, an international organization focused on the effective use of technology to improve learning, to launch the "District Leadership in the Age of AI" learning cohort. This cohort experience provides a collaborative learning opportunity for 17 LEA teams that are currently developing strategies to support AI integration. 48 LEA teams applied, signaling the level of demand for this type of support.
While registration for this cohort experience is closed, the Department will be publishing and sharing resources shared and developed through the cohort experience.
Please note: DESE is providing this information as a service to educators, schools, and districts and may revise or supplement it from time to time. The publication of this information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by DESE of any resource, product, curriculum, or system. DESE welcomes comments, additional information, and suggestions; please contact Jacqulyn.m.gantzer@mass.gov .
Last Updated: April 28, 2025