School Districts Using A.I. to Navigate Book Ban Challenges
New Laws Spark Controversy and Uncertainty
In Iowa, schools are grappling with new legislation that prohibits books deemed “age-appropriate.” This directive has left educators struggling to interpret and comply, as they navigate the complex task of determining which books to remove from school libraries.
Artificial Intelligence as a Compliance Tool
Faced with limited time and resources, Iowa’s Mason City Community School District turned to artificial intelligence (A.I.) to assist in their decision-making process. They utilized ChatGPT, an A.I.-powered chatbot, to analyze commonly challenged books and identify those that contained explicit sexual content.
The ChatGPT Process
Educators compiled a list of frequently challenged books and removed titles that were controversial for reasons unrelated to sexual content. The remaining list was then fed into ChatGPT, which was asked to determine if each book contained any descriptions or depictions of sexual acts. Books that received an affirmative response were removed from school libraries.
Accuracy Concerns and Human Oversight
While using A.I. provided a potential solution, concerns arose regarding the accuracy of ChatGPT’s assessments. The staff of Popular Science conducted their own tests and found that the chatbot gave contradictory answers about the same books. This raised questions about the reliability of A.I. as a tool for book selection.
Despite these concerns, Mason City School District officials maintained that ChatGPT offered the best approach given the time constraints and limited resources available. They emphasized their commitment to fulfilling their legal obligation to comply with the law while prioritizing other important educational responsibilities.
Age-Appropriateness and Human Judgment
In determining the age-appropriateness of books, the school district relies on the judgment of its human educators. They have a long-standing track record of providing age-appropriate materials and have not faced any formal challenges from parents regarding book content in the past.
Broader Implications and Resistance
While Mason City removed a relatively small number of books, other Iowa school districts are taking more aggressive approaches. They may be interpreting the new law more broadly, targeting books that challenge societal norms or represent marginalized groups.
However, Exman, the assistant superintendent of the Mason City School District, emphasizes that such books are not subject to the new law and should remain in school libraries. She believes that removing these books would be a disservice to students and would hinder their access to diverse perspectives and important discussions.
Navigating the Challenges
Iowa schools are navigating the challenges of complying with the new book ban law while balancing their educational responsibilities. Artificial intelligence has been used as a tool to assist in the decision-making process, but its accuracy and reliability remain concerns. Human judgment and a commitment to age-appropriateness and diversity are essential to ensuring that students have access to a wide range of books that support their intellectual and emotional growth.
