UMass Boston

Boston to become first major U.S. city to ensure all students graduate with AI proficiency

Boston Public Schools and UMass Boston will lead a new public-private partnership between government, academia, and industry to support BPS’ ongoing efforts to boost AI literacy for students across the district. UMass Boston alum Paul English has made a $1 million contribution to the effort announced this week.

The new partnership is aimed at better equipping BPS students and educators with the skills, curriculum, and opportunities to be proficient with AI, succeed in the workforce, and access greater economic opportunities in an evolving economy. UMass Boston will serve as the higher education partner for this initiative, bringing its leadership as Boston’s only public R1 research university and its deep partnership with BPS to help expand excellence, access, and opportunity for students across the city.

“Our goal is to make Boston Public Schools the best in the country and first choice for families.  As we continue to see new technology emerge, this groundbreaking public-private partnership between government, academia and industry advances that vision and ensures our students are prepared and ready to excel in the workforce and economy of tomorrow,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to Paul English, UMass Boston, and all of our partners for helping BPS lead the way on AI and encourage every sector of our city to get involved and invest in the success of our students and families through this initiative.”

To ensure BPS students are connected to opportunities and best prepared for the workforce upon graduation, the district will work with the UMass Boston’s Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute – the nation’s first university-based institute dedicated to optimizing and democratizing the use of AI tools across a broad range of professions — to develop curriculum, expand engagement opportunities for students, provide resources for educators, and improve operations district wide. Boston Public Schools will co-develop “Applied AI” learning opportunities with UMass Boston for BPS students.

“The Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute was established to engage with AI in ways that model educational delivery to meet the needs of a dynamic economy and workforce and generate equitable opportunity in our communities,” said UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco. “This visionary $1M gift to Boston Public Schools will pioneer the application of AI to educational equity and deepen our partnership with BPS on educational initiatives that serve the City of Boston. We believe that competency in applied AI can be a great equalizer and provide real economic opportunity to any student, regardless of background.”

The initiative will begin with 20 high schools and expand districtwide, with plans to support teacher ambassadors, professional development, industry-informed curriculum, and student internships. Students will develop foundational literacy around AI and have expanded opportunities to gain hands-on experience, access career pathways, and take on leadership roles in their school communities.

“This initiative will not only transform the educational and career opportunities for BPS students, but it will also accelerate AI adoption across all Boston businesses as they hire students with AI experience,” said Paul English. “I'm thrilled to be working with Mary Skipper and her team as Boston schools lead the way in the AI era."