Leveraging Artificial Intelligence Tools for Educators in Rural Schools: Practical Resources and Considerations

In recent years, U.S. public education, along with many other professional disciplines, has seen an explosion in the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Many new AI technologies are making processes more efficient for public educators. However, rural special education teachers often have limited knowledge of and professional development in newer resources and tools due to geographic location and lack of availability. As a result, rural educators may not be very familiar with using AI as a teaching tool in their classrooms. These limitations may be particularly present in rural schools that are already facing limited resources and technologies. The purpose of this article is to introduce AI tools educators can use to plan, teach, and accommodate students in rural special education settings while providing working knowledge of practical AI programs with additional ethical considerations for the use of AI in the school setting.