In our school district, the use of Deledao—a form of AI filtering software—on school devices is causing unnecessary roadblocks and creating an inequitable learning environment. Although meant to enhance our online safety, this software has become a digital barrier rather than a bridge to knowledge.

I have personally witnessed how Deledao disrupts our educational experiences by blocking essential educational materials. For example, a friend of mine had his AP essay assignment blocked simply because it touched on the effect of video games, a subject perceived to be on the blocked list. This kind of overreaching censorship discourages academic freedom and creativity, hindering our ability to explore complex topics that are critical to our educational development.

Furthermore, AI technologies have been proven to exhibit biases. I have done research, and what I found is horrifying. An article of The Kansas Reflector written by Max McCoy found that AI's like Gaggle, can discriminate against African American cultures and the LGBTQ community, stating, "According to reported Fast Company magazine, Gaggle previously flagged the words “gay” and “lesbian” in assignments and chat messages." This shows that AI can discriminate against certain peoples based on what information about them that it was given. To support an inclusive and diverse learning environment, our school must prioritize eliminating tools that could perpetuate systemic biases rather than exacerbate them.

The use of AI monitoring on our school devices also represents a breach of privacy, as it tracks keyboard inputs and analyzes entire web pages. Such invasive surveillance should not be a norm in educational spaces, where trust and open dialogue should thrive instead. I personally don't feel safe with an AI constantly monitoring me. I feel like I'm being judged based on what I search for, what websites I visit, and what videos I watch.

By banning AI filtering software like Deledao from our school, we can promote a more open, fair, and private learning environment. Join me in advocating for a digital space that enhances, not hinders, our educational journey. Sign this petition to call on our school district to prioritize the wellbeing and growth of its students by eliminating these obstructive technologies from our learning resources.

Sources: The Kansas Reflector