FIRST ON FOX: The nation’s top teacher unions and education groups are allegedly embedding diversity, equity and inclusion principles into AI guidance for classrooms as schools increasingly adopt the technology, according to a sweeping report.

The report by Defending Education, an education watchdog, examines AI guidance, model policies and training materials from the National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and other education groups, arguing they promote AI policies in the classroom centered on «equity» and «algorithmic bias.»

«Teachers unions and associations like the NEA and AFT at this point are nothing more than left-wing political operations funneling millions of dollars into promoting divisive DEI and gender ideologies in classrooms,» Defending Education Investigative Reporter Casey Ryan told Fox News Digital.

Ryan said the education groups are seeking «to use AI as their next frontier to reach school children in an effort to promote their worldview onto America’s next generation,» adding that they want to shape AI before it becomes widely used in classrooms.

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«We cannot allow that to happen,» he said. «It is imperative that concerned parents and families speak up now to ensure that the integration of AI into our schools benefits all students, rather than serve as another tool to enforce a problematic agenda.»

According to the report, «algorithmic bias» is the belief that AI reflects the views of its creators, often «white or Asian men,» prompting education groups to promote «equity» in AI used in classrooms to «ensure that students receive politicized answers and receive a politicized education.»

«The integration of AI into education is not a matter of if but when,» the report said.

Researchers found the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which represents more than 1.8 million members, launched the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative with Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic that the report said is designed to establish AI «guardrails» for educators.

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Presidents of the nation’s two largest teachers unions pictured above, Becky Pringle (LEFT) of the National Education Association (NEA), and Randi Weingarten (RIGHT) of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). (Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for March For Our Lives)

«These are three of the largest corporations building AI that are used on a global scale and are the AI programs already used by many school districts,» the report said.

According to the report, a 2025 AFT resolution warned that AI «has the potential to help personalize instruction, reduce administrative burden and make learning more engaging, but without proper guardrails it can perpetuate bias, invade privacy, and undermine educational equity, job security and the professional judgment of educators.»

«This program is imbued with the idea from AFT’s resolution that ‘bias’ and ‘equity’ are issues within AI in schools,» the report said.

Researchers examined the NEA’s AI in Education Hub, which the union says is «grounded in equity, ethics, and educator voice,» along with a model policy requiring AI vendors to meet standards for «transparency, equity, and ethical decision-making» and undergo audits for «algorithmic bias.»

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University of Louisville students held a rally in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) on their campus in March 2024. (Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The report highlights the California Teachers Association’s (CTA) role in developing state AI guidance for K-12 schools that recommends educators «approach AI with an equity lens» while addressing concerns about «equity, bias, and access,» and describes AI education as a way to address «systemic bias.»

The report also cites articles published by the American Association of School Administrators discussing AI’s ties to «white males» and the «New Jim Code.»

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) published an article encouraging schools to ask AI vendors how they address «algorithmic biases,» while the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) said AI tools should «advance and do not undermine equity,» according to the report.

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«The goal of these organizations is to embed DEI into AI tools to ensure that students receive politicized answers and receive a politicized education in the nation’s classrooms,» the report said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the AFT, NEA, CTA, AASA, NAESP and NASSP for comment.

Marco Rubio, secretario de Estado de Estados Unidos, afirmó este miércoles que la administración de Donald Trump mantiene su compromiso con la diplomacia y está dispuesta a negociar con Irán, aunque acusó a Teherán de incumplir los compromisos asumidos y de no tomar en serio las conversaciones. Además, advirtió que permitir a la República Islámica controlar el estrecho de Ormuz establecería un precedente “muy peligroso” para la libertad de navegación y el comercio internacional.

Las declaraciones de Rubio tuvieron lugar durante una reunión con ministros de Exteriores de la Asociación de Naciones del Sudeste Asiático (ASEAN) en Manila, en un contexto marcado por un nuevo recrudecimiento de las hostilidades entre Washington y Teherán, mientras el Comando Central de Estados Unidos bombardeó Irán por undécima noche consecutiva.

“Quiero reiterar una vez más que Estados Unidos siempre está comprometido con la diplomacia. Somos de mente abierta y siempre estamos dispuestos a negociar soluciones a las diferencias. Y esto sigue siendo cierto en el caso de Irán», expresó Rubio ante los cancilleres del bloque regional.

El secretario de Estado sostuvo que Irán mantuvo contactos con Washington para abrir un diálogo, aunque aseguró que las autoridades iraníes incumplieron el acuerdo preliminar alcanzado en junio. “Aunque Irán se ha comunicado con Estados Unidos tanto directa como indirectamente para entablar conversaciones, no han cumplido sus compromisos“, señaló.

Rubio también cuestionó la actitud de Teherán frente a las negociaciones. “El problema que tenemos ahora es que no se toman en serio las conversaciones. Si se lo toman en serio, nosotros también. Si no, haremos lo necesario para proteger nuestros intereses y los de nuestros aliados“, advirtió.

Gran parte de su intervención estuvo centrada en el estrecho de Ormuz, paso marítimo estratégico para el transporte mundial de petróleo y combustible, cuya situación genera preocupación entre los países del Sudeste Asiático por su fuerte dependencia de las importaciones energéticas procedentes de Medio Oriente.

“Irán reivindica el estrecho, del cual no dispone en virtud de ningún mecanismo jurídico existente, de controlar el tránsito por el estrecho de Ormuz”, afirmó Rubio.

El jefe de la diplomacia estadounidense sostuvo que el conflicto trasciende la disputa entre ambos países y afecta un principio básico del derecho internacional. “Existe un principio fundamental en materia de libre navegación, y este se ve amenazado. Creo que la economía mundial está amenazada, al igual que las normas que han regido el comercio internacional desde hace 150 años, y no podemos permitir que eso ocurra”, manifestó.

Rubio también alertó sobre las consecuencias que tendría aceptar que un Estado controle una vía marítima internacional. “Si creamos un precedente en Medio Oriente en el que una nación pueda decidir controlar una vía marítima internacional, cobrar un peaje y destruir sus barcos si no pagan, habremos creado un precedente muy peligroso que se repetiría en otras partes del mundo”, sostuvo.

En la misma línea, afirmó que el control de Ormuz por parte de Irán pondría en riesgo una parte significativa del suministro energético mundial. “Si estas consecuencias no existieran, hoy viviríamos en un mundo donde un porcentaje significativo del suministro energético de esta región, y el 20% del suministro energético mundial, estaría en manos de un Estado, de un régimen autoritario que pretende apropiarse de él”, declaró.

Las palabras de Rubio llegaron después de varios días de enfrentamientos entre Estados Unidos e Irán, incluidos ataques iraníes contra buques mercantes que transitaban por el estrecho de Ormuz, un escenario que volvió a encender las alarmas en los países del Sudeste Asiático.

Durante la reunión ministerial, la ASEAN también manifestó su preocupación por la escalada del conflicto y renovó su llamado a una salida diplomática. “Nos preocupa enormemente que estos acontecimientos socaven gravemente los esfuerzos de los principales mediadores y reduzcan las perspectivas de una solución pacífica mediante el diálogo y la diplomacia”, señalaron los ministros de Exteriores en un comunicado conjunto.

El bloque regional también pidió moderación a todas las partes y reclamó preservar la seguridad marítima y el funcionamiento de las rutas comerciales. “Expresamos nuestra profunda preocupación por cualquier medida discriminatoria o unilateral que pueda impedir u obstruir el paso de buques por el estrecho de Ormuz”, indicaron los cancilleres.

La crisis energética derivada del bloqueo de Ormuz afectó con fuerza al Sudeste Asiático. En ese contexto, Filipinas, que ejerce este año la presidencia rotatoria de la ASEAN, declaró en marzo el estado de “emergencia energética” por un año para facilitar acuerdos de compra de combustible, incluidos pactos con Rusia.

(Con información de AFP y EFE)

FIRST ON FOX: Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo’s campaign estimates that Democratic rival Aaron Ford’s policy agenda would generate $18.1 billion in government and private-sector costs — burdening residents over four years — including nearly $8 billion in projected Nevada state spending — calculations Ford’s campaign sharply disputes.

The Lombardo campaign report assigns estimated costs to 76 Ford proposals, combining projected Nevada spending with costs it says would be borne by businesses and the federal government that ultimately fall to the taxpayers and the public. Ford’s campaign argues the analysis invents implementation plans Ford never proposed and misclassifies some federal and private costs as consequences of his platform.

The analysis projects $7.93 billion in direct state spending over a four-year term. Lombardo’s campaign argues Nevada could not absorb spending on that scale without higher taxes, new fees or cuts elsewhere, while Ford’s campaign says many of the projected expenses would not require new state appropriations.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, University of Nevada, Reno professor Mark Pingle backed the report’s findings, saying, «Based on a review of Aaron Ford’s policy proposals, an estimated cost of $18 billion is a reasonable assessment.»

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«The bottom line is simple: these proposals would require a record-breaking increase in spending. Before moving forward with a plan this expensive, Nevadans deserve clear answers about how it would be paid for, who would bear the cost, and what it would mean for the state’s long-term financial stability. Regardless of political party, $18 billion in new spending deserves careful review and an explanation of how it would be paid for.»

Because Nevada has no personal income tax, significant new recurring state spending would likely require additional revenue from other taxes or fees, reductions in other spending, or some combination of the two.

Ford’s healthcare agenda, according to the report, carries the largest price tag at an estimated $4.25 billion for proposals addressing medical debt and predatory healthcare practices, including $3.5 billion for a proposal to cancel medical debt.

The report estimates an extra $1.76 billion would be needed to expand healthcare affordability and access through Medicaid protections, workforce expansion and preventive care.

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Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo addresses the media during a news conference on Sept. 12, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Ford’s K-12 education plan is estimated to cost $3.68 billion alone, including raising Nevada’s per-pupil funding to the national average, expanding pre-K, providing universal school meals, and increasing pay for teachers and support staff, the report projects.

The report estimates households would receive $17.88 billion in savings and other benefits while businesses, the state and the federal government would bear nearly the same amount in costs.

Overall, according to the report, Ford’s platform would cost roughly $4.9 billion for education, $4.8 billion for housing, more than $6 billion for healthcare, about $1.5 billion for energy and nearly $900 million for economic development.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Ford campaign spokesperson Prerna Jagadeesh said, «General Ford won’t be lectured by a governor who proposed a budget with a $335 million unconstitutional deficit and twice broke his pledge to never raise taxes.»

Jagadeesh continued, «The Lombardo campaign is embarrassing themselves and insulting the intelligence of voters by pushing this fraudulent report. The report lies about Attorney General Ford’s policies and assigns fake costs to programs that won’t cost the state a penny and will actually save taxpayers money, and incorrectly attributes costs to the state. Lombardo’s campaign rushed out this incredibly sloppy report in a desperate attempt to divert attention from a viral video of Lombardo abusing his position of power to evade consequences for breaking the law. Nevadans already know Lombardo has spent the last four years raising costs on working families and is offering no solutions to the problems they’re facing.»

The Ford campaign specifically disputes several of the report’s largest assumptions, arguing Lombardo’s team assigned costs to implementation measures Ford never proposed. Among other examples, the campaign says the report wrongly assumes Ford would spend hundreds of millions expanding the state’s Battle Born health plans and partially replacing federal Medicaid reductions. Ford’s campaign says his platform instead calls for outreach surrounding the existing Battle Born program and federal advocacy to prevent or reverse Medicaid cuts, not new state appropriations to backfill them.

The Ford campaign also showed Fox News Digital its own fiscal analysis arguing the platform could be implemented without raising taxes and with substantially lower direct state costs than those projected by Lombardo’s campaign.

Asked about Ford’s contention that the report assigns costs to implementation measures not contained in his platform, the Lombardo campaign said it estimated what it would actually take to fulfill Ford’s campaign promises, arguing that regulatory changes, enforcement initiatives and expanded benefits all require staffing, oversight or funding even when those costs are not explicitly identified by the campaign.

Former Nevada state Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, who previously served as chief of staff to Lombardo, told Fox News Digital that Ford’s proposals would require significant tax increases, saying the level of spending «is simply not sustainable for Nevada.»

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Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford speaks during his governor campaign kick-off event at the East Las Vegas Community Center on Monday, July 28, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

«There is no realistic way to absorb costs of that scale without significant tax increases,» he said. «Regardless of political party, proposals of this magnitude deserve serious scrutiny because Nevadans expect responsible budgeting, fiscal discipline, and a clear explanation of how these promises would actually be paid for.»

Nevada Democratic lawmaker Daniele Monroe-Moreno, chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, told Fox News Digital the Lombardo report «uses fake math to lie about Attorney General Ford’s policy positions» and said Ford’s platform consists of «common-sense policies that will save Nevadans money at very little to no cost to the state.»

The attorney general has also faced mounting questions over his spending during his tenure.

In March, state records reviewed by Fox News Digital found Ford racked up more than $410,000 in travel costs since taking office in 2019, while local outlets reported he spent more than 100 days outside Nevada. A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office said the trips were tied to Ford’s official duties and campaign activities and were permitted under Nevada law.

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Ford is currently under investigation by the Nevada Commission on Ethics over allegations he accepted improper gifts or benefits and used his office to improperly benefit himself, according to documents obtained by local outlets.

Lombardo is seeking a second term and will face Ford in November in one of the most closely watched gubernatorial races of the midterm elections.