Porfirio works to shield students, teachers from artificial intelligence instructors

SPRINGFIELD - According to a recent study, 25% of teachers use AI tools in the classroom. A bill sponsored by State Senator Mike Porfirio would provide assurance that students are learning from teachers, not AI.

"AI is a tool, not a teacher," said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). "Illinois must stay proactive when it comes to cutting-edge technology. This measure would protect the jobs of our teachers, and secure a legitimate education for our students."

House Bill 1859 would prohibit courses in public community colleges from using artificial intelligence as the sole source of instruction in lieu of a faculty member. It specifies that teachers are able to use AI to aid course instruction. In 2024, California enacted a similar law, prohibiting AI bots from replacing community college faculty.

Schools across the country have been searching for new ways of incorporating AI into their courses. In 2023, Harvard University announced that they would be using an AI teaching assistant to teach their CS50 course. Porfirio's bill would safeguard teachers from the expansion of AI utilization, preventing it from serving in place of a staff member at Illinois community colleges.

House Bill 1859 passed the Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday.