ND Superintendent: Regulate AI Tech Firms, Not Classrooms

North Dakota State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier is calling on the state to regulate the companies developing artificial intelligence rather than banning the technology in classrooms. Speaking before the Legislature’s artificial intelligence and data center committee, Bachmeier argued that shifting the regulatory burden to tech providers is the most effective way to ensure student safety.

During testimony delivered at Minot State University, Bachmeier specifically advocated for corporate liability and increased transparency. He recommended that regulations require AI companies to provide clear disclosures when users are interacting with chatbots and to implement strict age limits. According to Bachmeier, companies should be held legally liable if their chatbots promote self-harm or other dangerous behaviors. He characterized the risk of inaction as "potentially dangerous," while simultaneously opposing outright bans on AI in public schools, which he described as an overreaction that could deprive students of essential educational tools.

The Battle Over Classroom Control

This push for corporate accountability comes as school districts across the country struggle to balance the productivity gains of generative AI with concerns over academic integrity and mental health. By advocating for a model where classroom implementation is left to local school boards and educators, Bachmeier is pushing for a decentralized approach to pedagogy. This strategy ensures that teachers can integrate AI tools based on specific student needs while the state focuses on the systemic safety of the software itself.

Shifting the Burden of Safety

Bachmeier’s stance represents a strategic shift in AI governance, moving the responsibility for ethics and safety from the educator to the developer. He identified "companion chatbots" as a primary concern for young students, stating, "If I had to pick a villain, it would be companion chatbots." This focus on the psychological impact of AI is echoed by other experts; Michael Marinaccio, executive director of the Center for Responsible Technology, noted during the proceedings that students must be informed that such technology can distort their cognitive development.

Next Steps for Legislation

The Legislature’s artificial intelligence and data center committee is currently exploring limited regulations for AI alongside its broader mandate to manage data center physical infrastructure. The committee's work is ongoing, with further meetings scheduled for September 2026 to determine how North Dakota will balance the economic draw of data centers with the protection of its minors. Whether the state will codify corporate liability into law remains to be seen as the committee weighs the Superintendent's recommendations against the interests of the tech industry.