NYC nixes plan for AI-themed high school after woke backlash to merit-based admissions policy

The city’s AI school has been terminated.Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels pulled the plug on a Manhattan high school focused on artificial intelligence after backlash from woke activists who claimed its merit-based admissions policy would exacerbate racial inequality.Fierce opposition to the the proposed Next Generation Technology High School included concerns over its focus on AI, but the head of the Panel for Educational Policy said he opposed the school because of its planned “screened” admissions policy.“While I support the concept of a school dedicated to advanced technology and appreciate the academic rigor of this model, I will unfortunately not be voting to approve the Next Generation proposal,” PEP Chairman Greg Faulkner said in a notice to parents.He claimed screened schools do not promote “equity and equitable access” and that the admission structure will “further exacerbate existing disparities” among students from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.Faulkner said he would re-consider his opposition to the AI-themed school if proponents revise its selective admissions policy to be open to all.“This technology should be taught to everyone,” he said Monday.A planned opening was set for fall in a building at 26 Broadway, but it seemed highly unlikely the proposal would’ve received enough votes to get through the 24-member panel on Wednesday.Chalkbeat first reported the chancellor’s decision to derail the AI high school.Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

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Never miss a story.Next Generation has a website and 1,000 students have applied for 100 seats.Supporters of Next Gen Tech said Faulkner’s opposition was misplaced because the applicant pool for the school is 39% Hispanic, 21% black, 20% Asian and 17% white — with the remainder being multiracial o...