California Bill Would Prevent AI Replacement of Community College Faculty
Lauren Coffey
June 20, 2024
The new bill comes after concerns from several faculty members about AI’s classroom role.
The California legislature voted unanimously for a bill to stop artificial intelligence (AI) bots from replacing community college faculty in the state.
The short, two-page bill passed on Friday and was sent to the desk of California governor Gavin Newsom, who can sign or veto the bill, or allow it to become law in September by taking no action. Newsom’s office declined to comment.
The bill states that the “instructor of record” for a community college course “shall be a person who meets the minimum qualifications to serve as a faculty member.” The process to meet those minimum qualifications is extensive, involving approval from the Academic Senate and Board of Governors, and would exclude AI bots from being instructors.
