WASHINGTON, D.C. – A recent study by eLearning Industry shows Maryland ranking second nationally in online searches for AI education-related topics, trailing only Virginia, as schools and employers grapple with integrating artificial intelligence into learning and workforce preparation.
The analysis examined searches using 28 AI education keywords across all 50 states, adjusted per 100,000 residents. Virginia led with 60.87 searches, followed by Maryland at 58.96 and New Jersey at 54.67. This data, released in December 2025, reflects growing public and institutional curiosity about AI in education amid rapid technological advancements.
Phillip Snalune, co-founder of the AI learning platform Codio, emphasized the need for proactive approaches in higher education. “Higher education must prioritize immersive, hands-on instruction over passive reliance on AI-generated answers,” Snalune said in an exclusive interview with The Center Square. He highlighted a disconnect between corporate goals for AI adoption and current employee skills, based on a Codio survey of executives and vice presidents at large U.S. companies. “The No. 1 skill enterprises are looking for is AI oversight and governance,” Snalune told The Center Square.
A Digital Education Council study indicates that 80 percent to 90 percent of students now use AI regularly, yet employers report challenges finding workers proficient in practical applications such as AI management, applied usage and data literacy. Snalune noted that technology advances outpace curriculum updates. “One clear signal is that I think the technology is clearly moving faster than curricula are being modernized,” he said. “And that is probably the underlying source of anxiety on the teaching side.”
Educators have raised concerns about AI enabling cheating, prompting tools like Codio’s AI assistant Coach, which explains errors in plain language and guides students through problem-solving without direct answers. Snalune advocated shifting from small pilot programs to scalable, transferable practical skills. “The surge in AI-related education searches shows how Americans are embracing the future of work,” a spokesperson from eLearning Industry said in an email to The Center Square.
In Maryland, state initiatives address these trends. The Department of Information Technology submitted a 2025 AI Enablement Strategy and Study Roadmap to the General Assembly, outlining plans to accelerate ethical AI adoption across domains including education. The Maryland State Department of Education has developed AI cybersecurity policies, formed an AI Education Committee, launched a resource website, and joined the TeachAI community for collaboration. Senate Bill 906, introduced March 4, 2025, requires comprehensive AI guidelines for K-12 by August 1, 2026, focusing on ethical implementation.
Several Maryland districts have advanced local efforts. Prince George’s County implemented a three-year plan emphasizing professional learning, ethics and curriculum integration. The University of Maryland offers an online AI Literacy module integrated into 350 courses, plus a new Master of Science in artificial intelligence for working professionals. Community College of Baltimore County pursues an associate’s degree in AI, with transfer pathways to bachelor’s programs.
Virginia demonstrates similar momentum, with AI embedded in state computer science standards, dedicated funding for professional development, and guidelines for ethical integration from K-12 through higher education. Executive Order 30 directed the Virginia Department of Education to provide resources for AI use, while institutions like Virginia Tech support workforce alignment through AI-focused programs.
These regional efforts align with national trends, where AI fluency emerges as essential for workforce readiness. The proximity of Maryland and Virginia to federal and tech hubs contributes to heightened interest, as residents seek skills for AI-driven economies. Southern Maryland residents, including those in Calvert, St. Mary’s and Charles counties, benefit from access to nearby institutions like the University of Maryland system, which emphasizes AI ethics, personalized learning and career empowerment.
As the 2025-26 academic year progresses, the emphasis remains on balancing innovation with safeguards. Maryland’s roadmap includes stakeholder engagement, surveys and policy iterations to support local school systems, ensuring AI enhances rather than replaces learning.