Davis High School faces pushback over AI-read graduation names

Source Domain: kutv.com

KAYSVILLE, Utah (KUTV) — Students and parents at Davis High School are pushing back against a plan to use artificial intelligence-assisted technology to announce graduates’ names during commencement ceremonies.

They are arguing that the change removes a personal touch from one of high school’s most meaningful milestones.

A petition opposing the system gathered nearly 1,000 signatures ahead of Friday night’s graduation ceremony.

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Davis High School is the only school in the Davis School District moving forward with the graduation name-recognition pilot after Layton and Northridge high schools withdrew following student feedback.

“This is one of the final experiences students will have at Northridge High and within the Davis School District, and we want to make it as positive and meaningful as possible,” Northridge High School Principal Dr. Tyler Poll said in a statement explaining why his school ultimately decided against participating in the pilot program.

District officials say the technology is intended to improve pronunciation accuracy, audio clarity, and consistency during large graduation ceremonies.

The program cost is $10,500 and is being covered by the Davis School District.

According to the district, students either approve the pronunciation of their name in advance or submit their own recording.

Kimball Clark, whose 18-year-old daughter is graduating from Davis High, said many students feel the district ignored their concerns after they requested administrators abandon the plan.

“Most of these seniors are 18, to say, ‘No, we’re going to push back a little, and we would like a human to read our voices when we graduate,’” Clark said.

Clark said the issue is bigger than using the technology adding, “It’s sort of this giving up, this relinquishing of our voice that the authorities are in charge, the authorities know best.”

The district said all high school principals were informed of the…

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