Schools are adopting strategies from Big Tech.

The latest buzz in tech is all about AI, and it’s where the job market is heading. Students who don’t get on board risk falling behind. To help them catch up, AI developers are generously offering resources and learning materials, often at no cost. This is the pitch being made to schools, but as education technology reporter Natasha Singer points out, it mirrors how the tech industry has influenced classrooms over the last 15 years.

In her new book, *Coding Kids*, Singer explores how major tech firms have promoted computer literacy and coding in education, claiming these skills lead to lucrative careers. However, by the time many students entered the job market, the landscape had shifted, casting doubt on those promises. Meanwhile, these companies effectively turned schools into training grounds for future customers, teaching students to use their products.

Now, the AI sector is making a similar push into education. Singer expressed concern about a collective forgetfulness regarding past tech cycles in schools during a recent discussion. She wonders if we’ve learned anything that could guide the responsible integration of AI in education, ensuring it truly benefits students and includes necessary safeguards from the start. Fortunately, she sees some signs of progress.

Singer recounts how over a decade ago, leading tech companies integrated themselves into school curricula, particularly through Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles classes. Apple and Microsoft developed their own courses featuring tools like Swift and Minecraft. She notes that parents would likely object to similar corporate branding in subjects like biology or physics, highlighting a potential conflict of interest.

Google has also established a strong presence in education with its affordable Chromebooks, which became widespread in schools throughout the 2010s and saw even greater adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of Google Classroom further solidified its role as a key educational platform just as generative AI began to gain traction.

Even when not directly involved in education, tech companies have supported initiatives like Code.org, which launched a high-profile campaign featuring tech leaders encouraging kids to learn coding. Code.org’s founder took a startup approach to promote computer science education, eventually leading to the nationwide “Hour of Code” initiative, which aimed to engage students in fun, introductory coding experiences.

Initially, there was little resistance to these initiatives, although some academics sought to create a more traditional computer science curriculum focused on diversifying student participation and encouraging critical thinking about technology’s impact.

However, backlash has emerged. Some recent graduates feel misled by the emphasis on coding, only to find entry-level positions dwindling. Some schools are even moving away from Google Chromebooks, as research shows that simply adding technology to classrooms doesn’t necessarily enhance learning outcomes.

Singer emphasizes that while she supports tech education, parents desire more than just tech skills for their children. They want kids to become informed citizens and discover their passions and beliefs. If the tech industry continues to dictate educational content, the focus shifts to how quickly AI can be integrated into schools rather than what’s truly important for student learning.

Unlike the tech push of the 2010s, there’s now a noticeable pushback from parents and school districts. Recently, New York City’s school system banned AI use in elementary and middle schools for the upcoming year, followed by Los Angeles implementing even broader restrictions. This time, there’s a vibrant grassroots movement among parents and teachers advocating against the increasing presence of screens and AI in classrooms.

Singer believes schools are starting to recognize the need for a more comprehensive tech education. This curriculum could empower students to critically assess how technology influences their choices and encourage them to engage with these tools thoughtfully, while also feeling empowered to challenge the status quo.