Concord kindergarten teacher alleges AI used in dismissal evaluation

A kindergarten teacher at Thoreau Elementary in Concord is challenging her 2025 dismissal, alleging the principal used artificial intelligence to write the evaluation report that led to her firing, Boston.com reported.

The teacher, who taught at the school for over 20 years, used AI detection software GPTZero to support her claim during arbitration. However, the Concord-Carlisle School District and the principal maintain that only an AI grammar checker was used and that the dismissal followed multiple underwhelming performance reviews.

An arbitrator upheld the dismissal in August, putting "no weight" on the AI allegation. The teacher's complaint argues the arbitrator may have violated neutrality by using AI platforms to research the reliability of GPTZero without informing either party.

The teacher has filed a lawsuit in Suffolk County Superior Court seeking to vacate the arbitrator's decision and request a new hearing before a different arbitrator. The school district declined to comment on the pending litigation.

The case highlights ongoing questions about the role and reliability of AI in employment evaluations within the local school system.