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Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), resigned on Sunday night (June 21), amid an ongoing FBI investigation. Carvalho's resignation follows nearly four months after FBI agents raided his home and district office as part of a probe into a failed AI chatbot project. According to ABC7, Carvalho submitted his resignation letter to the district and the Board of Education, stating it was an honor to serve the LAUSD community.
The investigation centers around Carvalho's interactions with contractors involved in the development of "Ed," an AI-powered chatbot intended to assist families with educational services. The project, which was abandoned after the collapse of the company AllHere, cost the district $3 million. Despite the investigation, the Los Angeles Times reports that Carvalho has not been charged with any crimes and maintains his innocence, emphasizing that he acted in the best interests of students.
Carvalho, who began his tenure with LAUSD in 2022 after leading Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 14 years, was placed on paid administrative leave in February following the FBI raid. His leadership saw improvements in test scores and graduation rates, but also faced challenges such as a major cyberattack and labor unrest. The district has appointed Andres Chait as acting superintendent while the investigation continues. KTLA notes that it remains unclear if Carvalho's resignation involves a financial settlement with the district.