(Machine) Learning in Louisiana Schools
For many around the state, last week marked the first day of school. Students, teachers, and parents alike are preparing for the academic year with all its challenges and excitement. Louisiana is a growing hub for tech innovation, and our schools are no exception. The schools and businesses of our state are investing in the next generation by equipping them with the tools to succeed in a world shaped by artificial intelligence.
In a timely gesture, the White House released the Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education at the beginning of August. The pledge, signed by over 100 companies and nonprofits, marks a concerted effort to make AI education resources available to youth and schools. The signees commit to “funding and grants, educational materials and curricula, technology and tools, teacher professional development programs, workforce development resources, and/or technical expertise and mentorship.” One Louisiana based business, the Cyber Innovation Center based in Bossier City, joined the pledge to prepare youth for success. The Cyber Innovation Center is a research foundation and listed alongside companies like Apple and McGraw Hill on the Pledge to America’s Youth. AI skills are rapidly becoming invaluable in the modern economy and the Cyber Innovation Center’s investment in America and Louisiana’s youth is an investment in the future.
Schools in Louisiana are incorporating AI training into their curriculums. Helix AI and Medical Academy, a charter school with a focus on artificial intelligence and medicine, opened a second location this year. Now based in Baton Rouge and Opelousas, Helix is providing more options to young people eager to leverage the power of AI for good in the fields of medicine and science. Microsoft’s 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report made a powerful case for the value of AI in the workplace. “66% of leaders say they wouldn’t hire someone without AI skills. 71% say they’d rather hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced candidate without them.”
Efforts by schools like Helix AI and Medical Academy are helping Louisiana students become competitive candidates with backgrounds that are valuable to admissions offices and later, employers across industries. The challenge, however, is making these skills available to all students, not just those who attend schools with a specialized focus. That’s why state education leaders are continuing to encourage and assist school leaders and educators in all schools to “recognize the transformative potential of AI,” in part through detailed guidance.
Louisiana’s universities have long been at the forefront of AI development. This summer, LSU Shreveport students won first place at the national annual AIM-AHEAD meeting. The team created an AI model that analyzes and diagnoses intricate spinal abnormalities, like spinal constrictions and hernias. Tulane University and LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are also in the business of medical breakthroughs, and recently announced a collaboration focused on using AI tools to treat ALS. LSU is also using AI to help protect Louisiana’s coastal communities. LSU scientists have pioneered an AI tool that provides fast and accurate flood prediction, potentially saving lives and property. Our state’s universities are both forming and attracting top AI talent and are a testament to Louisiana as a powerhouse of tech and innovation.
The beginning of the school year is often a time to reflect. Will we prepare the youth of Louisiana for flourishing in the digital age? Will we equip teachers and families with the tools they need to navigate the rapid innovations happening around them? The commitment of our business community, schools, and universities to the future of Louisiana is a model for success.
Links to Learn More
