How AI is helping Birmingham students learn about history and improve writing skills

Birmingham’s middle school students are getting a unique lesson in both history and technology. Using an AI tool called Lumi Story AI, they’ve been researching the 1963 Children’s Crusade—a key moment in the civil rights movement—and turning their findings into graphic novels. The project is part of a partnership with Colin Kaepernick, who created the AI platform to help students build literacy and critical thinking skills. Instead of just reading about history, students are now creating their own versions of it. The tool doesn’t do the work for them—it guides them through research, fact-checking, and writing. Teachers say this approach helps students engage more deeply with the material. "We don’t want students just memorizing facts, " one educator explained. "We want them to think, question, and create. "The partnership started in 2025, aiming to boost writing skills in a district with over 20, 000 students. Birmingham’s schools have seen gradual improvements in literacy rates, reaching their highest score ever on state report cards. While AI tools are often debated in education, this one includes strict safeguards to keep student work original and thoughtful. At a recent event, students from four schools presented their projects to peers and educators. One student, Jamaya Rembert, said the AI helped her improve her writing while staying passionate about civil rights. "I love speaking up for what’s right, " she said. But is AI the best way to teach history, or does it risk making learning too automated?