THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE, WE WILL PASS IT ALONG TO YOU. TONIGHT. NEW YORK, A MITT MID 2026 COVERAGE. EDUCATORS WARNED LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JAY COLLINS TODAY ABOUT THE DANGERS OF AI IN OUR SCHOOLS. GULF COAST NEWS CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER DAVE ELIAS WAS IN NAPLES TODAY AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR REVEALED HIS CONCERNS ABOUT ROBOTS AND OUR CHILDREN. >> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JAY COLLINS, ME A CAMPAIGN STOP TODAY IN COLLIER COUNTY TALKING WITH SCHOOL LEADERS. THE BIG CONCERN I AND HOW SOME STUDENTS ARE USING IT TO CHEAT IN SCHOOL. SOMETHING THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SAYS HE’S WITNESSED FIRSTHAND. I WAS SHOCKED IS AGAIN, JUST TO THE PHOTO. GIVE ME THE ANSWER END IT GOVERNOR J. COLLINS IS TALKING ABOUT HOW HE CUT HIS OWN SON. >> USING AI, YOU KNOW WHAT KIDS ARE FALLING BEHIND. THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DO THESE SKILLS, LEARN THESE THINGS AND APPLY THEM AS ADULTS. FEARS THAT MANY PARENTS MAY NOT EVEN REALIZE THAT KIDS ARE USING IT AND EDUCATORS AGREE PARENTS HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON THAT. YES, ACTUALLY, THEY DON’T. THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM. ALINA BIRD OT AMONG THE EDUCATORS THAT’S GRABBING THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S EAR. THEY’RE SO OBSESSED WITH A BOMB WARNING I MUST BE LIMITED IN FLORIDA SCHOOLS, BUT IT SHOULD NEVER REPLACE YOUR ABILITY TO THINK FOR YOURSELF. AND AND I THINK THAT’S THE BIGGEST ISSUE CONFRONTING EDUCATION TODAY AND THE OTHER BIG CONCERN. I’M SO GLAD YOU BROUGHT TOPIC AI DATA CENTERS AND THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES THEY CAN USE. YOU CAN’T AFFECT OUR GRIT. WE’RE NOT GOING BROWN OUTS. IT HAS A NEGATIVE EFFECT FOR THE COST GOES. THE PEOPLE PART STOP KNOW, ALTHOUGH HIS OPPONENT BYRON DONALDS CAMPAIGN ON BUILDING AI DATA CENTERS FORCING MANY VOTERS NOW TO PICK A SIDE AS AI CONCERNS CONTINUE TO GROW THE SYSTEM’S GOING DOWN. ARE WE GOING TO BE LEFT A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT CAN’T EVEN THINK FOR THEMSELVES
Educators warn Florida lieutenant governor about A.I. risks in schools
Updated: 6:25 PM EDT May 22, 2026
Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins visited Collier County on a campaign stop Friday, where he met with school leaders to address concerns about artificial intelligence in education and its potential consequences. Educators raised alarms about students using A.I. tools to cheat, a problem Collins said he has witnessed firsthand. “I was shocked! He’s like, ‘Yeah, I took a photo, and it gave me the answer,’” Collins said, recounting an incident involving his own son. Collins expressed concern that reliance on A.I. could hinder students’ ability to develop essential skills. “You know what, kids are falling behind. They have to be able to do these skills, learn these things, and apply as adults,” he said. Former educator and professor Helena Berdote echoed Collins’ concerns, emphasizing that many parents may be unaware of how their children are using A.I. in the classroom. “Parents have so much going on, they don’t know what’s happening in the classroom,” Berdote said. Berdote also warned against allowing A.I. to replace critical thinking skills. “It should never replace your ability to think for yourself. I think that is the biggest issue confronting education today,” she said. Another concern raised during the discussion was the environmental impact of A.I. data centers, including their energy consumption and strain on natural resources. Collins addressed the issue, saying, “You can’t affect our grid. We’re not going to go to brownouts if it has a negative effect or the cost goes to the people… hard stop, no!” The topic has become a point of contention in the campaign, as Collins’ opponent, Byron Donalds, has advocated for building A.I. data centers. Educators like Berdote worry about the consequences of over-reliance on A.I. systems. “The systems go down… what are we going to be left with? A group of people who can’t even think for themselves. That’s scary!” she said. Concerns about A.I. in schools and its broader implications continue to grow, leaving voters to weigh the issue as they head to the polls.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.
NAPLES, Fla. —
Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins visited Collier County on a campaign stop Friday, where he met with school leaders to address concerns about artificial intelligence in education and its potential consequences.
Educators raised alarms about students using A.I. tools to cheat, a problem Collins said he has witnessed firsthand. “I was shocked! He’s like, ‘Yeah, I took a photo, and it gave me the answer,’” Collins said, recounting an incident involving his own son.
Collins expressed concern that reliance on A.I. could hinder students’ ability to develop essential skills. “You know what, kids are falling behind. They have to be able to do these skills, learn these things, and apply as adults,” he said.
Former educator and professor Helena Berdote echoed Collins’ concerns, emphasizing that many parents may be unaware of how their children are using A.I. in the classroom. “Parents have so much going on, they don’t know what’s happening in the classroom,” Berdote said.
Berdote also warned against allowing A.I. to replace critical thinking skills. “It should never replace your ability to think for yourself. I think that is the biggest issue confronting education today,” she said.
Another concern raised during the discussion was the environmental impact of A.I. data centers, including their energy consumption and strain on natural resources. Collins addressed the issue, saying, “You can’t affect our grid. We’re not going to go to brownouts if it has a negative effect or the cost goes to the people… hard stop, no!”
The topic has become a point of contention in the campaign, as Collins’ opponent, Byron Donalds, has advocated for building A.I. data centers. Educators like Berdote worry about the consequences of over-reliance on A.I. systems. “The systems go down… what are we going to be left with? A group of people who can’t even think for themselves. That’s scary!” she said.
Concerns about A.I. in schools and its broader implications continue to grow, leaving voters to weigh the issue as they head to the polls.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.