Bans Aren’t the Answer (Emily Frietag)

9.28.2026 Getty Images/Drazen Zigic Emily Freitag is the Cofounder and CEO of Instruction Partners. This article appeared September 28, 2026 in Instruction Partners and can be found at: https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/bans-arent-answer I have heard a number of leaders start discussions about AI with the question, “Are you for or against AI?” I suspect there are many points in history where similar questions have been posed: In 1889, “Are you for or against electricity?” In 1953, “Are you for or against atomic energy?” In 1995 (this one I remember), “Are you for or against the World Wide Web?” I wonder how long it took for the question to change from “Are you for or against?” to “What are the risks and benefits we need to manage at the same time?” I am in a small club of people who have seen a number of AI-powered products in classrooms and talked to hundreds of users. What I have learned prevents me from choosing one camp or the other—AI is both a huge opportunity for…