Artificial Intelligence Video

Reading Is Hard to Teach. Can AI Help?

By Alyson Klein & Yi-Jo Shen — March 27, 2026 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Artificial intelligence might be able to drive cars, treat diseases, and train your front door to recognize your face. But can it help kids learn how to read?

The answer from some experts is that it won’t be long before AI tools for reading instruction are commonplace in schools.

But those predictions come with a big caveat: Relying too heavily on AI could be counterproductive.

Coverage of education technology is supported in part by a grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, at www.chanzuckerberg.com. Education Week retains sole editorial control over the content of this coverage.

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Teaching Webinar
Closing the Practice Gap: Essential Insights for Leaders
Three instructional experts will share strategies for making students’ reading and math practice more engaging and impactful this year.
Content provided by Renaissance
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
The Principal's Role in Collective Efficacy and Student Outcomes
Learn practical strategies that help principals translate their confidence into stronger collective teacher efficacy and student outcomes.
Content provided by Otus

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Artificial Intelligence Students Created a National AI Policy Framework. Here’s What It Includes
Nearly 100 students from across the country collaborated to set guardrails around AI use in schools.
8 min read
A group of 98 high school students representing all 50 states who spent three days in Boston creating, debating, and voting on a framework for what they believe AI use in schools should look like.“America’s Youth AI Festival,” took place July 17-19 and was hosted by nonprofit Day of AI; MIT RAISE; AASA, The School Superintendents Association; and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate.
A group of 98 high school students representing all 50 states spent three days in Boston July 17-19 creating, debating, and voting on a framework for what they believe AI use in schools should look like. Some experts say educators should get students more involved in helping craft AI policies for schools.
Eric Haynes/Edward M. Kennedy Institute
Artificial Intelligence Deepfakes Are Supercharging Cyberbullying. How Should Schools Respond?
The focus should be on prevention, not punishment, experts say.
4 min read
Deepfake victim Francesca Mani speaks at a news conference promoting the passage of the DEFIANCE Act at the Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. Schools need to amend their cyberbullying policies to stem the spread of deepfakes and protect victims.
Deepfake victim Francesca Mani speaks at a news conference promoting the passage of the DEFIANCE Act at the Capitol, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Washington. Schools need to amend their cyberbullying policies to stem the spread of deepfakes and protect victims.
Allison Robbert/ AP Photo
Artificial Intelligence School Districts Push Back Against State-Required AI Reading Assessments
Two school districts in New Mexico say the assessments could jeopardize students' data privacy.
Natalie Robbins, Albuquerque Journal
4 min read
A student takes an assessment.
Paper-and-pencil assessments have been replaced by digital versions in many schools across the country. But two school districts in New Mexico are pushing back against a state-required digital reading assessment that uses artificial intelligence. They argue that it raises serious student data privacy concerns.
John Pendygraft/Tampa Bay Times via TNS
Artificial Intelligence Opinion Don't Sign an AI Contract for Your District Without Asking These Questions
Any ed-tech vendor pitching to schools should have clear answers—in writing.
Pedro A. Noguera & Ayisha Irfan
1 min read