New York's Tech Education: Adapting to AI's Rapid Changes

The Challenge of AI

New York's approach to tech education is at a crossroads. The city has been making progress in getting more people into tech jobs, especially those who have been left out. They've been doing this through short courses for adults and adding computer classes in schools. But now, AI is changing everything.

AI is getting really good, really fast. It can now write code and do complex tasks with little help from humans. This means the old way of teaching tech skills won't cut it anymore. The city needs to focus on teaching all students the basics of computing, not just a few.

Progress and Shortcomings

The good news is that New York has a head start. A program called Computer Science for All has tripled the number of students taking computing classes since 2015. But most students still don't get to take these classes before they graduate. That's because computer science is often seen as extra, not essential.

The Path Forward

To fix this, the next mayor should push for a new plan. This plan, called CS4All 2.0, would make sure every teacher knows how to bring computing into their lessons. Kids as young as kindergarten can start learning patterns with shapes and blocks. Older students can explore logic and data through games and tools.

Expanding CITE

One way to do this is by expanding a program called CITE. It's already training teachers to bring computing into their classrooms. With a small investment, this program could reach every future teacher in the city.

State Collaboration

The state can also help by setting clear goals and working with the city to spread this model to other teacher training programs. Together, these steps could help New York lead the way in preparing students for the age of AI.