AI Surpasses Cybersecurity in State Education Leader Priority List
For the first time, artificial intelligence has moved to the top of the priority list for state education leaders — knocking cybersecurity from the number one spot, according to the 2025 State EdTech Trends report from SETDA. In collaboration with Whiteboard Advisors, the membership association for educational technology and digital learning leaders surveyed ed tech directors, state chiefs, CIOs, and other state education agency leaders across 47 states about their evolving priorities and challenges this year.
AI ranked as both the number one state ed tech priority and the top state ed tech initiative, the report found. States reported taking various actions to build capacity for AI, including forming multi-sector coalitions, issuing policy guidance, investing in tools and training and students and faculty, embedding AI within digital learning initiatives, staffing new positions, and more.
AI's top position does not reflect a decrease in interest in cybersecurity, the report pointed out. The percentage of survey respondents who named cybersecurity a top technology priority remained steady between 2024 and 2025, at 21%.
"The ascendancy of one ed tech priority doesn’t necessarily come at the expense of other priorities," the report noted. "In fact, new emerging technologies like AI may actually increase the need for investments in infrastructure safety and access."
Prioritization of cybersecurity funding is another story, however. Just 2% of survey respondents said their state provides ample funding to cybersecurity risk mitigation in education. Forty-two percent said their state allocates some funding, but "not enough to do everything we could be doing." And 35% said their state allocates very little funding to this area. Broadband efforts were met with similar funding shortfalls.
"These responses spotlight the need for states to continue investing in education technology infrastructure — specifically cybersecurity and access investments — even as they allocate more resources to supporting AI," the report said. "Continuing these investments can help state leaders ensure that every student in every community across their state can access safe and secure learning programs that prepare them for success in life."
The full report is available here on the SETDA site.
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Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].