As national discussions around AI development continue to explode, local school systems are required to have all new and updated AI policies in place this month. Additionally, the newly established Maryland AI Education Collaborative on Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education does not appear to have met yet and is not expected to report out until December 1, 2027.

Maryland school districts are required this fall to establish policies governing the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms, following new guidance from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the provisions of SB 720. The bill passed during the the 2026 legislative session and went into effect on June 1, 2026. The deadline for schools to implement is 120 days from when the guidance was published by MSDE. With most of the framework already drafted and approved before the bill went into effect, most school systems will likely be required to be in compliance sometime this month.

According to an article from Maryland Matters, many school systems have already implemented policies that are consistent with the state regulations, with others making updates to current policies to establish compliance. The bill requiring the policies also established the Maryland AI Education Collaborative on Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education. It is unclear whether the group has convened yet with the first report not being due until December 1, 2027.

AI in classrooms has been an increasingly popular topic, including being examined at the 2026 MACo Summer Conference during the session “I, Teacher…Education in the Virtual Age.” Panelists from MSDE, Prince George’s County Public Schools, and the University of Maryland discussed how AI and other digital tools are changing teaching and learning and what local school systems should consider as they adopt them. Being practical, cautious, and human-centered were common themes.

It is unclear now whether new concerns surfacing this week from industry whistleblowers and discussion about the development of AI more broadly will influence how tools are adopted in schools. Robot teacher and robot tutor programs being explored in other states have recently been put on hold along with other pilots. If national advocacy efforts lead to new federal regulations it could slow or alter the types of programs being designed and implemented for school systems – particularly AI programs that have been developed to watch classrooms and analyze learning styles and behaviors of students.