How Elon Musk’s AI Strategies to Cut Education Costs Could Endanger Disabled Students

The US Department of Education, in Washington, D.C.Graeme Sloan/SIPA USA/AP

Recently, the Washington Post shared some concerning news about Elon Musk’s DOGE software. It used sensitive data to evaluate programs within the Department of Education, aiming to identify and cut what it deemed wasteful spending.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order aimed at reducing education funding. However, he can’t eliminate the Department of Education outright; that would require Congress to act. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie has already introduced a bill in the House to promote this change.

The Department of Education is vital for ensuring children with disabilities receive equal educational opportunities and necessary funding. There’s worry that using AI like DOGE for budget cuts could undermine these vital services. Ariana H. Aboulafia, who advocates for disability rights at the Center for Democracy & Technology, voiced these concerns. She emphasized that federal funds are essential for students with disabilities to have fair access to education.

Ariana cautioned, “Using unproven AI to drive cuts could seriously harm this community.” Her concerns stem from the uncertain effectiveness of the AI software and the sensitive nature of the data it uses.

It’s important to note that AI isn’t always impartial. Research shows it can carry biases. For example, a 2024 study found that AI software like ChatGPT rated resumes with disability mentions lower than others. Aboulafia warned that budget cuts from either AI or human decisions could disproportionately affect students with disabilities.