Los Angeles superintendent resigns after AI contract comes under scrutiny
Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, speaks about students' improved scores before Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation related to student literacy in Los Angeles on Oct. 9, 2025. Mr. Carvalho resigned on June 21, 2026.
Damian Dovarganes/AP/File
The superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation鈥檚 second largest, has resigned after months of being on paid administrative leave due to an ongoing federal investigation.
The investigation, which included a February of Alberto Carvalho鈥檚 home, involves, in part, a failed AI chatbot project that the district contracted, according to the . The case became a cautionary tale among critics of the push to get AI into schools.聽
The chatbot called 鈥淓d鈥� was supposed to be a support for students and parents, providing 鈥渢he nudges, the reminders, the support, the incentive, and the rewards,鈥� Mr.聽 ahead of its launch. But just months later, the chatbot developer AllHere Education furloughed most of its employees. In late 2024, its founder was on federal charges of defrauding investors.聽
Why We Wrote This
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho touted student progress, but came under investigation over artificial intelligence spending.
The district paid the technology company $3 million and was supposed to have signed a 5-year contract with it worth $6 million.
Mr. Carvalho has denied any wrongdoing.
鈥淥ver the past four years, together, we have made historic progress 鈥� gains that belong to our students, our educators, staff, and our communities,鈥� Mr. Carvalho wrote in the letter Sunday released by the law firm representing him.
He touted achievements made, including raising academic performance, achieving the district鈥檚 highest graduation rate ever, reducing absenteeism, and negotiating workforce agreements.
The LAUSD Board of Education publicly acknowledged that they received Mr. Carvalho鈥檚 resignation letter.
鈥淭he Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring stability, continuity, and continued progress through strong leadership,鈥� the governing body said in a statement on their website Monday. 鈥淥ur focus remains unchanged: providing every student with a high quality education, supporting our dedicated workforce, and maintaining the trust of the communities we serve.鈥�
The rapid integration of artificial intelligence into various facets of daily life has become especially sensitive in schools, where many parents already express angst over the amount of screen time of even young students using tablets or laptops in the classroom.
Mr. Carvalho鈥檚 resignation comes four months after he was placed on paid leave. The LAUSD Board voted 7-0 two days after his home was raided to place him on leave. Two unions, United Teachers Los Angeles and Service Employees International Union Local 99, had called for Mr. Carvalho to resign weeks before he did.聽
鈥淎fter months of uncertainty around district leadership, the news of Superintendent Carvalho's resignation does not come as a surprise,鈥� UTLA said in a statement Monday.
UTLA also urged the LAUSD to make sure that the next superintendent listens to community needs and works with students, families, and staff.
鈥淢ost importantly, the next superintendent must ensure that district resources are invested where they matter most: in our schools and classrooms, not in billions of dollars鈥� worth of outside contracts,鈥� the union said.