Artificial intelligence (AI) was a top education technology (edtech) priority for states during the 2024–25 academic year, surpassing cybersecurity for the first time, according to the 2025 State EdTech Trends Report by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) in collaboration with Whiteboard Advisors.
“AI ranked as both the leading state edtech priority and the top state initiative,” according to SETDA. “States are moving quickly on guidance, professional learning, policy frameworks and some are bringing AI experts directly into their agencies.”
Still, cybersecurity is a major concern, and the report asserts that sustained focus and infrastructure investments are crucial. “Cybersecurity continues to challenge school systems nationwide, with threats escalating even as capacity remains uneven,” according to the report. “And access for all students remains a cross-cutting concern, particularly in rural communities, and for learners with disabilities or who require digital content to meet their academic needs.”
The report, which comes at a time of change and new challenges including uncertainty about federal education funds, draws on a survey of state chiefs, chief information officers, edtech directors and leaders of state education agencies to shed light on how states are handling the use of technology by K-12 schools.
Following the end of pandemic era aid, and in a time of tightening state budgets, declining enrollment and economic shifts, funding has emerged as the most prominent unmet edtech need and a main priority for states.
“This cascade of funding challenges and uncertainty may help explain why only 6 percent of respondents indicated their state has plans to continue funding edtech initiatives once supported with ESSER funds — a steep drop from 27 percent in 2024,” according to the report. “Meanwhile, the percentage of respondents unsure if they will have funds to sustain these efforts nearly doubled in the past year.”
Training for educators around edtech continues to be a major unmet need, particularly around the safe and effective use of AI, and remains a priority area.
Three-fourths of survey respondents said their state had adopted a device ban, issued guidance on device restrictions or was considering options around the use of devices like cellphones in classrooms. Most are implementing such policies to reduce learning distractions, improve student engagement and support their mental health.
“A large number of respondents — nearly 60 percent — indicated that their state is supporting digital citizenship for students,” according to the report.
Along with each key finding from the survey, the report offers state-level examples of how issues are being addressed.
“With the demands of new technologies rising, and the federal role in edtech receding, states must expand their investments in edtech offices and strategic technology initiatives,” the report states.
