In the U.S., special education faces significant challenges due to limited funding and a shortage of qualified personnel. Many school districts are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to help bridge gaps and reduce labor costs. Over 7 million children rely on federally supported special education services, but shortages of specialists like rehabilitation experts and speech therapists make meeting these needs difficult. AI is being explored to assist in creating individualized education programs (IEPs), support professional training, and improve assessments. While AI offers potential to ease burdens and enhance personalized learning, it raises ethical concerns such as privacy risks, embedded biases, and questions about compliance with legal standards. Despite these issues, with resources limited, AI is increasingly used to fill service gaps though its full impact remains uncertain.
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