Policy Blog Templates (4)

SIIA’s Opposition to SB 1047: Concerns Over State AI Regulation

by Policy
The Software & Information Industry Association  (SIIA) joins 7 organizations to express our opposition to SB 1047 (Wiener). This bill aims to enact the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act, which requires frontier AI developers to determine the safety of covered models before initiating training, among other provisions. While sharing the goal of ensuring safe AI development, the organizations argue that the issue is best addressed at the federal level. SB 1047 would further complicate the already fragmented AI regulatory landscape in the U.S., creating inconsistencies with federal regulations and imposing vague and impractical requirements on developers. The bill’s focus on regulating AI technology rather than its high-risk applications, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding definitions and compliance, is seen as detrimental to economic and technological innovation. Concerns also arise regarding the bill’s unrealistic expectations for developers to certify model safety before training, ambiguous definitions of hazardous capabilities, and intrusive requirements on operators of computing clusters. Additionally, the establishment of a new regulatory body with broad jurisdiction and the imposition of harsh penalties are deemed excessive. The organizations argue that federal solutions are needed to ensure consistency in AI regulation nationally and align with ongoing efforts by federal agencies such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Ultimately, we believe that SB 1047 would hinder AI innovation in California and advocate for a national approach to AI regulation instead. Therefore, we oppose the bill and urge reconsideration.
Full Letter Here
Policy Blog Templates (3)

SIIA’s Endorsement of AB 2876 (Berman) – Integration of AI Literacy in California Education

by Policy
The Software & Information Industry Association  (SIIA) joins 7 other organizations to endorse AB 2876 (Berman), supporting the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy into California’s educational system. Recognizing AI’s transformative potential across various sectors, the bill aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand, use, and critically assess AI technologies. Amid concerns and mixed sentiments regarding AI’s impact, fostering AI literacy becomes imperative to mitigate potential risks and harness its benefits responsibly. By incorporating AI literacy into existing curricula, the bill seeks to demystify AI, empower students to navigate AI-driven environments, and prepare them for future workforce demands. With the backing of various stakeholders, AB 2876 underscores the importance of AI literacy as a fundamental skill set alongside traditional academics.
Full Letter Here
Policy Blog Templates (1)

SIIA’s Response to NTIA’s Request for Comment Regarding “Dual Use Foundation Artificial Intelligence Models with Widely Available Model Weights”

by Policy
The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) has responded to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) request for comments on dual-use foundation models with widely available model weights. SIIA emphasizes the importance of a nuanced approach to openness and risk management in AI systems. Key points include:
  1. Defining Openness: SIIA suggests that openness should be viewed across a gradient rather than as a binary concept. They advocate for considering factors beyond just model weights, such as training data and code, in assessing openness.
  2. Understanding Dual-Use Foundation Models: SIIA discusses the definition of “dual-use foundation models” outlined in Executive Order 14110, emphasizing national security implications and the need for a balanced approach to governance.
  3. Assessing Risks and Benefits: The association examines the risks associated with widely available model weights, emphasizing the importance of considering both technical and societal impacts. They stress the need for a risk-based approach and caution against overregulation that could stifle innovation.
  4. Promoting Equity and Innovation: SIIA discusses how open foundation models can enhance equity, competition, and innovation in various sectors, including healthcare, education, and finance.
  5. Addressing Legal and Regulatory Challenges: The association highlights the importance of interoperability, standardizing licensing terms, and international cooperation in managing the risks and benefits of open foundation models.
  6. Government’s Role: SIIA recommends a collaborative approach between government, industry, and other stakeholders in setting standards, promoting innovation, and managing risks associated with open foundation models.
Overall, SIIA emphasizes the need for a balanced and flexible approach to governance that fosters innovation while addressing potential risks in the evolving landscape of AI technology.
Full Response Here
Policy Blog Templates (2)

SIIA Statement on Release of the 2024 NTE Report from USTR

by Policy

The following statement from the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA statement regarding the release of the 2024 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE Report) from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) can be attributed to Morten Skroejer, Senior Director for Technology Competition Policy.

USTR’s 2024 2024 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE Report) is disappointing. It omits critical references to digital trade barriers faced by the very companies that are responsible for millions of U.S. jobs, fuel the global economy, and lead the world in innovation. While the move had been telegraphed for weeks, it, unfortunately, joins a growing list of recent USTR decisions, where the agency has failed at its most basic duty: to protect U.S. economic interests abroad.

We urge the Administration not to stand by while foreign governments force discriminatory regulations on American companies.

Policy Blog Templates (1)

SIIA Announces Education Technology Finalists for 2024 CODiE Awards

by CODiE Awards

For Immediate Release

Education Technology products recognized in peer-reviewed awards program

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 28, 2024) – In celebration of the 39th annual SIIA CODiE Awards, the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) announces Education Technology finalists. Finalists, selected by expert reviewers, represent the most innovative and impactful products from education technology developers, online learning services and related learning-focused technologies.

“The 2024 CODiE Award finalists are a showcase of those products and individuals who have been identified by industry experts as being at the forefront of innovation. These finalists perpetuate the CODiEs’ longstanding tradition of acknowledging the year’s most influential products, services, and leaders, thereby laying the groundwork for future innovators. A hearty congratulations to all who have earned this recognition,” said SIIA President Christ Mohr

The SIIA CODiE Awards are the industry’s only peer-reviewed awards program. Educators and administrators serve as judges for the first-round review of all nominees. Their scores determine the SIIA CODiE Award finalists and account for 80 percent of the overall score. SIIA members then vote on the finalist products. The scores from both rounds are tabulated to select the winners. Details about each finalist are listed here.

The category winners will be announced May 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. EDT during a virtual celebration. The CODiE Awards guests can log in to NewSky XR’s secure online platform and customize avatars to network with industry leaders in a high-fidelity, rich texture, photo-realistic environment. The event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required. Learn more at https://www.newskyxr.com/.

2024 CODiE AWARD EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY FINALISTS

Best Administrative Solution          

  • Alma SIS, Alma Technologies
  • ClassLink Suite, ClassLink
  • Frontline Human Capital Management, Frontline Education
  • Frontline School Health Management, Frontline Education
  • Incident IQ
  • Incident IQ Platform, Incident IQ
  • AristotleK12, Sergeant Laboratories
  • TimeClock Plus, TCP Software

Best AI Implementation in Ed Tech             

  • AllHere
  • MATHia, Carnegie Learning
  • AI 360 with Copilot, CYPHER Learning
  • The Generator – AI-powered course creation + Auto-Narration, Global eTraining
  • Author Aide, Learnosity
  • Origin, Merlyn Mind
  • AI-Powered Study Tools, Pearson
  • Magic Notes, Quizlet
  • Writable

Best Coding & Computational Thinking Solution             

  • uCertify Course, uCertify
  • YoungWonks, WONKSKNOW LLC

Best Collaborative Solution for Teachers              

  • Share My Lesson, American Federation of Teachers
  • Branching Minds
  • edWeb.net

Best College & Career Readiness Solution           

  • Courseware, Edmentum
  • Virtual Internship Program, eDynamic Learning
  • Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test and Career Prep, Gale, part of Cengage Group
  • uCertify Course, uCertify
  • My Work Ready, WIN Learning
  • Xello
  • YouScience® Brightpath, YouScience

Best Content Authoring Development or Curation Solution

  • Gale Digital Scholar Lab, Gale, part of Cengage Group
  • Nearpod
  • DnA by Renaissance, Renaissance
  • uCertify Create, uCertify

Best Digital Safety Solution             

  • Respons-Able Student Online Modules, Digital Respons-Ability
  • GoGuardian Beacon, GoGuardian
  • Password Manager, LastPass
  • Lightspeed Alert, Lightspeed Systems

Best Education Platform

  • Engage, Compro Technologies
  • Discovery Education Experience, Experience
  • Nearpod
  • MyLab, Pearson
  • PowerSchool
  • RethnkEd Solutions, RethnkEd
  • Seesaw’s Learning Experience Platform, Seesaw
  • Learner Engagements Online® (LEO®), Tutor.com

Best Education Professional Development Solution    

  • Witsby, ASCD and ISTE
  • axis3, Creatively Focused
  • Teacher Success Pathways, Teacher’s Corner®, Leader’s Corner®, Coachly™, HMH
  • Shift iQ, InSite Information Systems
  • Lexia LETRS, Lexia
  • MobileMind
  • PowerSchool Educator Effectiveness Cloud, PowerSchool
  • RethinkEd Professional Learning, RethinkEd
  • Professional Development Teacher Membership, Teaching Strategies

Best Educational Game       

  • MATHia Adventure, Carnegie Learning
  • ExploreLearning Frax
  • Math Basecamp, Legends of Learning
  • Introduction to Business and Strategy Simulation , Marketplace Simulations
  • Pathogen Patrol, PLTW + Tipping Point Media

Best Emerging Education Technology Solution for Administration    

  • DataGuard, ClassLink
  • axis3, Creatively Focused
  • Frontline Human Capital Management, Frontline Education
  • Frontline Professional Growth, Frontline Education
  • Frontline School Health Management, Frontline Education

Best Emerging Instructional Technology Solution          

  • ExploreLearning Frax, ExploreLearning
  • Zone Learn, Logitech
  • McGraw Hill AR, McGraw Hill
  • Mindsets Learning
  • MobyMax
  • Flocabulary, Nearpod
  • Rex K-12

Best English Language Arts Instructional Solution for Grades PK – 8

  • Alef Platform, Alef Education
  • Benchmark Advance, Benchmark Education Company
  • Writable, HMH
  • IXL ELA, IXL Learning
  • Foundations A-Z, Learning A-Z
  • MobyMax
  • Freckle for ELA, Renaissance
  • LANGUAGE! Live, Voyager Sopris Learning

Best Evidence Management Solution       

  • Abre Insights and Student Success, Abre
  • LearnPlatform by Instructure, Instructure
  • MobyMax
  • Otus
  • Panorama Student Success, Panorama Education
  • eduCLIMBER by Renaissance, Renaissance

Best Formative Assessment Solution       

  • Pear Assessment, GoGuardian
  • MobyMax
  • SpacesEDU, myBlueprint
  • Otus
  • uCertify LEARN, uCertify
  • Learning Online, Voyager Sopris Learning

Best Gamification in Learning        

  • Action Math Baseball, eLEARNster LLC
  • ExploreLearning Reflex, ExploreLearning
  • Waggle, HMH
  • Awakening, Legends of Learning
  • MobyMax

Best Learning Management System (LMS)            

  • Blackboard Learn Ultra, Anthology Inc.
  • Engage, Compro Technologies
  • Brightspace, D2L

Best Learning Recovery Tool

  • K-12 Math & ELA High Dosage Virtual Tutoring, Cignition
  • i-Ready Assessment and Personalized Instruction, Curriculum Associates
  • Imagine MyPath, Imagine Learning
  • Raz-Plus, Learning A-Z
  • Lexia Core5 Reading, Lexia
  • MobyMax
  • RethinkEd Vizzle, RethinkEd

Best Mathematics Instructional Solution for Grades PK – 12                 

  • Alef Pathways, Alef Education
  • DreamBox Math, Discovery Education
  • IXL Math, IXL Learning
  • McGraw Hill AR, McGraw Hill
  • Mindsets Learning
  • MobyMax
  • Freckle for Math + Star Math Assessments, Renaissance
  • enVision® K-12 math series, Savvas Learning Company

Best Personalized Learning Solution

  • Alef Pathways , Alef Education
  • Branching Minds
  • Amira Learning, HMH
  • IXL platform, IXL Learning
  • MobyMax
  • Learning Designer, Open LMS
  • PowerSchool Personalized Learning Cloud
  • Lalilo by Renaissance, Renaissance Learning
  • SuccessMaker®, Savvas Learning Company
  • uCertify LEARN, uCertify

Best PK/Early Childhood Learning Solution        

  • Kide Science powered by Accelerate Learning, Accelerate Learning Inc.
  • Imagine Math, Imagine Learning
  • MobyMax
  • The Only Connected Ecosystem in Early Childhood Education, Teaching Strategies

Best PK-12 Virtual Learning Solution         

  • ClassLink Suite, ClassLink
  • MobyMax

Best Reading/Writing/Literature Instructional Solution for Grades 9 – 12    

  • Gale In Context: Literature, Gale, part of Cengage Group
  • Writable, HMH

Best Research and Development Database Solution   

  • Environmental History: Conservation and Public Policy in America, 1870-1980, Gale, part of Cengage Group
  • Power to the People: Counterculture, Social Movements, and the Alternative Press, Nineteenth to Twenty-First Century, Gale, part of Cengage Group

Best Science Instructional Solution for Grades 9-12

  • Pivot Interactives by Discovery Education, Discovery Education
  • ExploreLearning Gizmos, ExploreLearning
  • PAVO, Flinn Scientific
  • Kognity for High School Science, Kognity USA, Inc

Best Science Instructional Solution for Grades PK – 8 

  • Collaborate Science powered by Accelerate Learning, Accelerate Learning Inc.
  • BrainPOP Science, BrainPOP
  • Twig Science, Imagine Learning
  • Penda Science, Learning 2020, Inc.
  • MobyMax

Best Science of Reading Foundational Skills Solution

  • DreamBox Reading Plus by Discovery Education, Discovery Education
  • Exact Path, Edmentum
  • HMH Into Reading, HMH
  • IXL ELA, IXL Learning
  • Foundations A-Z, Learning A-Z
  • Phonics, Reading and Me, Learning Without Tears
  • MobyMax
  • Voyager Passport, Voyager Sopris Learning

Best Social Sciences/Studies Instructional Solution  

  • Gale In Context: For Educators, Gale, part of Cengage Group
  • Traverse, Imagine Learning
  • McGraw Hill AR, McGraw Hill
  • MobyMax
  • Nearpod Social Studies Program, Nearpod

Best Solution for English Language Learners     

  • HMH English 3D, HMH
  • Raz-Plus ELL, Learning A-Z
  • MobyMax
  • Nearpod English Learners Program, Nearpod
  • Star Assessments and myON by Renaissance, Renaissance Learning
  • Stone for Schools, Rosetta Stone

Best Solution for Students with Special Needs

  • Brightspace, D2L
  • FrenalyticsEDU, Frenalytics
  • MobyMax
  • RethinkEd Vizzle, RethinkEd

Best STEM Instructional Solution for Grades K – 12

  • BrainPOP Science, BrainPOP
  • Learning Blade, eDynamic Learning
  • Ellipsis Education Curriculum, Ellipsis Education
  • ExploreLearning Gizmos, ExploreLearning
  • McGraw Hill AR, McGraw Hill
  • MobyMax
  • STEAM on Demand

Best Student Learning Capacity-Building Solution        

  • AllHere
  • McGraw Hill AR, McGraw Hill
  • MobyMax
  • RethinkEd Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) Solution, RethinkEd

Best Virtual Lab         

  • ExploreLearning Gizmos, ExploreLearning
  • Practice Anatomy Lab (PAL), Pearson
  • uCertify LAB, uCertify

Best Virtual Learning Solution

  • Next Generation Virtual Classroom, Class Technologies
  • EdOptions Academy, Edmentum
  • Edgenuity, Imagine Learning
  • Writing A-Z, Learning A-Z
  • uCertify LEARN, uCertify

Best Wellness Platform for School Districts and Educational Communities             

  • Emotional Wellbeing Curriculum for Secondary Students, Ori Learning
  • RethinkEd Wellness Suite, RethinkEd

2024 CODiE AWARD EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP FINALISTS

Best Customer Experience in Ed Tech

  • Branching Minds
  • Creatively Focused
  • Learning A-Z
  • Legends of Learning
  • Otus
  • com
  • Xello

Best Ed Tech Company to Watch

  • Cignition
  • Mindsets Learning

Best Student Experience    

  • MobyMax
  • com

Best Suite of Connected/Integrated Solutions  

  • HMH
  • MobyMax
  • Munetrix
  • Otus
  • The Renaissance Ecosystem, Renaissance Learning
  • Savvas Learning Company
  • Sirius Online and Sirius STAAR Assessment Bank & Test Builder, Sirius Education Solutions
  • Texthelp’s CORE (Co:Writer, OrbitNote, Read&Write and Equatio) Solutions, Texthelp

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in Ed Tech     

  • Learnosity
  • Renaissance

Lifetime Achievement Award in Ed Tech

  • Karen Billings, BillingsConnect
  • John Kleeman, Learnosity
  • Martin McKay, Texthelp

Most Influential Thought Leader in Ed Tech         

  • Geoffrey Alphonso, Alef Education
  • Ashley Andersen Zantop, Cambium Learning Group
  • Elizabeth Orme, Creatively Focused
  • Jamie Candee, Edmentum
  • Bethlam Forsa, Savvas Learning Company

Most Innovative Ed Tech Company             

  • AllHere
  • Cambium Learning Group
  • ClassLink
  • Nearpod
  • com and The Princeton Review
  • VitalSource
  • WONKSKNOW

*The Judging process is a rigorous one that honors only the truly stand-out nominations; in this case, the Judges selected just one submission to qualify in the Finals.

About the SIIA CODiE™ Awards

The SIIA CODiE Awards is the only peer-reviewed program to celebrate the vision, talent, and advances in building quality products in the tech industry. Since 1986, thousands of products, services and solutions have been recognized for leading innovation and achieving excellence. For more information, visit https://siia.net/CODiE.

About Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA)

SIIA is the only professional organization connecting more than 700 data, financial information, education technology, specialized content and publishing, and connects learners and educators. Our diverse members manage the global financial markets, develop software that solves today’s challenges through technology, provide critical information that helps inform global businesses large and small, and innovate for better communication across the information ecosystem.

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SIIA communications contact:

codieawards@siia.net