California Moves to Protect Community College Faculty from AI Replacement

In a landmark decision, the California legislature has unanimously passed a bill aimed at preventing the replacement of community college professors with artificial intelligence (AI) bots. The brief, two-page bill, which now awaits the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom, seeks to ensure that only qualified human instructors lead college courses.

The bill stipulates that the “instructor of record” for any community college course must meet the stringent qualifications required to serve as faculty, a process overseen by the Academic Senate and the Board of Governors. This measure effectively bars AI bots from being considered as instructors.

Wendy Brill-Wynkoop, president of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, emphasized the importance of human involvement in education. She noted that while AI tools are becoming more prevalent in areas such as counseling and tutoring, the human touch remains crucial in teaching. Brill-Wynkoop explained that the bill, conceived by an association governance committee last September, is less about the immediate threat of AI and more about safeguarding students’ right to human educators.

“Our concern is the potential long-term impact on students,” Brill-Wynkoop said. “The bill ensures that students continue to benefit from human faculty who can guide them through their educational journey, even as AI technology evolves.”

The issue of AI replacing human faculty is not confined to California. Nationwide, educators express anxiety about the potential for AI to usurp their roles. In April, faculty at Boston University voiced concerns when their dean suggested using AI to manage course-related tasks during a graduate student strike.

The National Education Association is expected to release guidance for faculty unions next month, providing a framework for negotiating the use of AI in education. However, other educational organizations have not yet pursued similar legislation. Larry Galizio, president and CEO of the Community College League of California, remarked that the bill essentially reaffirms current practices rather than introducing new regulations.

“The real challenge is how we, as educational professionals, address the diverse issues surrounding AI, from privacy concerns to ensuring our students are well-equipped for a changing environment,” Galizio said.

Brill-Wynkoop reiterated that the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges is not opposed to AI but wants to set boundaries to prevent unintended consequences. She highlighted the state’s tight budget as a potential driver for adopting cost-saving AI solutions, which makes proactive legislation essential.

“We need to be thoughtful and careful about how and where we use AI,” Brill-Wynkoop said. “It’s about supplementing education with technology, not eliminating human positions.”

As California leads the way with this legislative measure, the debate over AI’s role in education is likely to continue, with educators and policymakers striving to balance technological advancements with the irreplaceable value of human teaching.

Resources:

Carballo, Rebecca. “AI Can’t Replace Teachers, Union and State Lawmakers Say.” Politico. 24 June, 2024.

Coffey, Lauren. “California Bill Would Prevent AI Replacement of Community College Faculty.” Inside Higher Ed. 20 June, 2024.

News Staff. “CA to Bar Community Colleges from Replacing Profs with AI.” GovTech. 18 June 2024.