AI technology is increasingly being employed for various purposes, but its applications aren’t always positive. Recent reports highlight how AI is being used for censorship, adding to concerns about its potential misuse. In Mason City, Iowa, the school board has adopted AI technology to compile lists of potentially ban-worthy books from school libraries in response to legislative changes in the state’s education curriculum.
In May, Senate File 496 (SF 496) was enacted in Iowa, introducing significant alterations to the state’s education curriculum. The legislation dictates that books available in school libraries and classrooms should be “age appropriate” and devoid of “descriptions or visual depictions of a sex act,” in accordance with Iowa Code 702.17. This new legal framework has posed challenges for educational institutions in ensuring their book collections align with these regulations.