AI and screen time: The two tech debates shaping schools this year

Schools are racing to figure out how artificial intelligence fits into classrooms.

 At the same time, a growing number of parents and educators are asking a more fundamental question: Have schools become too reliant on technology in the first place?

Join Chalkbeat national reporter Lily Altavena and New York reporter Alex Zimmerman for a members-only conversation about the push and pull over technology in schools. They will dive deeper into their reporting that reveals the pressure on school districts to rapidly adopt AI, the growing backlash against screens and education technology, and the decisions that could reshape the role of technology in classrooms this school year. New York City, the nation’s largest school system, has been at the center of these debates, with education leaders alternatively rejecting and embracing AI in the classroom.  Chalkbeat national editor Erica Meltzer will moderate.

Become a Chalkbeat member to join the conversation. Give any amount from $1 to $26 — we suggest $26 for 2026 — and help fund the independent, deeply reported education journalism that holds decision-makers accountable and helps families and educators understand how schools are changing.

If you are an existing Chalkbeat member, look out for an email invitation from us! Contact us at community@chalkbeat.org with any questions.