The task force includes middle and high school students, teachers, staff, administrators, parents, community representatives and district leaders. (photo courtesy of BHUSD)

The Beverly Hills Unified School District has launched a districtwide Artificial Intelligence Task Force to help shape how artificial intelligence is taught and used in district schools.

The group includes middle and high school students, teachers, staff, administrators, parents, community representatives and district leaders. Board of Education members Amanda Stern and Russell Stuart were appointed as board liaisons.

“I am pleased to be a part of our AI Task Force,” Stern said. “We are chartering a sensible and impactful path that will benefit our students and take BHUSD learning and innovation to the next level.”

The task force will help guide the development and implementation of AI curriculum at the secondary level, including AI literacy, ethical and responsible use, effective prompting, evaluation of AI-generated information and applications for research, creativity, problem-solving and learning.

“AI changes everything,” Stuart said. “We cannot take a system built 150 years ago, add artificial intelligence to it, and call that progress. Our children are going to inherit a world none of us can fully predict. Our job is to make sure they are ready to lead it. That means giving them the tools to think, create, question, adapt and build what comes next. We should not be asking how AI fits into the old model of education; we should be asking what education needs to become now that AI exists. Our students deserve nothing less.”

BHUSD has also implemented professional development to help teachers understand emerging AI tools and identify classroom applications. Former BHUSD student Nick Melamed, who has a master’s degree in computer science from UC Berkeley, has worked with the district’s Education Services team on professional development.

The district has piloted AI-supported math tutoring at Beverly Vista Middle School and is exploring how AI tools could support academic intervention, accessibility and specialized services.

“Artificial intelligence is already part of our students’ everyday lives, and our responsibility is to help them maximize its potential,” Superintendent Alex Cherniss said. “AI can open new doors for creativity, problem-solving, personalized learning, and innovation in ways we are only beginning to understand. We want our students to be ready to use these tools to expand what they can achieve while giving our teachers the training and support to help make that possible. With thoughtful guardrails in place, AI can become a powerful part of preparing students for success in college, careers, and whatever comes next.”

The initiative builds on Board Policy 6163.47, “Intentional Technology Use in the Classroom, Digital Learning, and Artificial Intelligence Education,” which the board unanimously adopted in July. The task force will continue its work throughout the school year.

For information, visit bhusd.org.