SFUSD's Maria Su Downplays Concerns Over AI in Schools Despite Criticisms

San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Superintendent Maria Su recently spoke at Dreamforce about classroom technology, emphasizing the importance of investing in educators and bridging the tech gap. SFUSD has a nearly 14-year partnership with Salesforce, which provides philanthropic support for STEM education and educator resources.

However, some critics argue that the district is not doing enough to address concerns around AI accuracy, student data privacy, and the impact of technology on children. Su did not directly address these issues during her remarks, but noted that schools cannot predict which technologies will still exist in the coming years.

The district is currently developing a broader technology and AI policy, with the school board scheduled to vote on it in March 2027. SFUSD has also signed a contract with OpenAI to provide ChatGPT Edu to 12,000 teachers and staff, while Salesforce announced $18 million in new education grants this month, including $6 million for SFUSD.

Some educators have expressed concerns that classroom technology is adding to their workload and reducing opportunities for direct interaction with students. United Educators of San Francisco President Cassondra Curiel argued that the district has not shown evidence that its AI tools improve student learning, while parent advocates have called for greater transparency and input from families.