Plano ISD will rely on artificial intelligence to announce the names of graduating seniors at all high school ceremonies this spring, a move district officials say will ensure greater accuracy and a smoother process for students.
In a message to parents, the district explained its reasoning: “Names matter, and we want your big moment to feel personal and accurate,” WFAA reported.
The system, called NameCheck, allows students to record their names so the AI can pronounce them correctly. It will also display names on a large screen during the events. Officials described the goal as “a smooth, memorable, and respectful celebration for every member of the Class of 2026.”
The annual cost for the software across all four graduations is less than $10,000.The decision has drawn mixed reactions from students, with some supporting the change.
Senior Holden Schmidt said, “I think it’s very cool how the technology is coming along,” Audacy reported. Senior Bridgette Cruz added, “I’d rather have my name said correctly at graduation…especially since it’s such a big day for me.”
Others are unhappy with the shift away from a human announcer. Avery Cousins, a senior at Plano Senior High, said the plan is difficult to accept as graduation nears in late May.
“It really sunk in how wild this decision was,” she said, per WFAA. “There is such a distinct human factor to having somebody who knows you and contributed to your education say your name while you walk.”
Cousins has launched a petition asking the district to restore a live announcer. She said signatures came in quickly, reaching 100 on the first day, and she hopes to gather support from the majority of her school’s senior class.
While Cousins agrees that correct pronunciation is important, she believes there should be a balance.
“There is something distinctly valuable about having a human experience even when it’s imperfect,” she said, suggesting the AI could be used as a tool to help a human announcer verify names before they are called.
Watt Lesley Black Jr., who teaches education policy at Southern Methodist University and previously worked as an educator and administrator in North Texas, said the debate reflects a larger tension in schools.
“It’s a question of efficiency versus tradition or accuracy versus authenticity,” Black said, according to WFAA. “To me…the juice is not worth the squeeze. Graduation ceremonies are one of the most change-resistant and tradition-laden things that we do in education.”
The district does not have a formal petition process, but encourages students and families to share concerns directly with teachers or campus administrators, who can address them.