LAUSD’s New AI Platform

Christina House/Los Angeles Times/TNS

Big news in the world of AI and Education. The Los Angeles Unified School District has introduced an AI platform and chatbot named "Ed," designed to assist parents and students as a personal aid. Here are the some of the highlights of their announcement:

PURPOSE/FEATURES OF THE PLATFORM
- Offers a one-stop solution for school-related information, including attendance, grades, lunch menus, and real-time bus locations.
- Superintendent Alberto Carvalho emphasized its role in democratizing data sharing and providing personalized recommendations.

INITIAL DEPLOYMENT
- They are starting with about 100 schools, with plans to extend district-wide.
- The tool is aimed at enhancing educational engagement and administrative efficiency.
- Although initially for parents and students, it may expand to include teachers.

FEEDBACK SO FAR
- Parents have appreciated the immediate responses and help in understanding their children's assignments.

BROADER GOALS OF THE PLATFORM
- Part of a larger strategy to recover from pandemic-related academic challenges.
- Seeks to integrate technology to improve learning outcomes, student engagement, and family involvement.

-FUTURE POTENTIAL & CURRENT LIMITATIONS
- Currently, the platform's reach is limited to district information, but expansion is considered for the future.
- Efforts to integrate with various educational platforms to simplify access for users.
-Still somewhat generic in its responses

ACCESSIBILITY
- Chatbot unavailable to students under 13
- Communicates in 100 languages, initially available at schools considered most "fragile."

This platform represents a significant step towards integrating AI into educational settings, aiming to improve the educational experience and address past technological challenges effectively. If you are in LAUSD, we would love to know more about your experience with Ed.

To learn more you can watch their launch video.