Matt Walsh claims ChatGPT’s advent has killed public education system, suggests the only two alternatives for parents

Conservative commentator Matt Walsh sparked debate after claiming that the rise of artificial intelligence, particularly ChatGPT, had effectively ended the American public education system. On February 25, Walsh took to X (formerly Twitter) to argue that public schools had already been failing students long before AI entered classrooms.

In his post, he suggested the system had been unable to provide even a basic level of education to several generations and described public schooling as a failed “experiment” that had now reached its inevitable conclusion.

“The public education system is over. It has already failed to provide even a rudimentary education to multiple generations of children…The public education experiment failed, and now it’s over,” he wrote.

Matt Walsh went on to argue that artificial intelligence had delivered the final blow. He claimed that with tools like ChatGPT easily accessible to students, schools operating under what he called a “mass assembly line style system” would be unable to stop children from relying on AI to complete assignments.

“Now with AI there really is no way for a mass assembly line style system to prevent kids from using ChatGPT to do everything for them,” he added.

The commentator concluded his post by presenting what he described as the only viable choices left for parents.

He urged families to either homeschool their children or enroll them in a small, high-quality private institution, asserting that public education was already “dying” and that AI had “killed what was left of it.”

“You have two options: homeschool, or a really good (and preferably small) private school. Public education was already dying. AI just killed what was left of it. It’s done. Really. Don’t send your kid to public school. They won’t learn anything,” he wrote.

Matt Walsh’s previous criticisms of AI and ChatGPT

Conservative commentator Matt Walsh has often voiced strong criticism of artificial intelligence, repeatedly targeting tools such as ChatGPT and AI-generated films.

On February 17, Walsh reposted a video shared by The Dor Brothers, who claimed they had created “a $200,000,000 AI movie in just one day” that was “100% AI.”

The clip showcased cinematic visuals allegedly produced entirely through artificial intelligence.

Responding to the post, Walsh dismissed the technological feat, arguing that visual realism alone was not impressive to him.

He suggested that AI-generated imagery amounted to nothing more than an algorithm producing images that merely “look kind of real.” He emphasized that, in his view, the core issue was the lack of human storytelling. He wrote:

“I don’t understand how anyone can be impressed by this. Okay, wow, an algorithm spit out some images that look kind of real. Okay cool. The fundamental problem with AI content – and why I will never be interested in an AI movie, no matter how realistic it looks – is that I just have no interest in the stories that an algorithm tells.”

Walsh went on to criticize the broader cultural embrace of AI narratives, specifically referencing ChatGPT.

He argued that stories generated by artificial intelligence lack emotional depth or authenticity, comparing the idea of watching an AI film to listening to ChatGPT speak about personal aspirations.

“I don’t want to watch an AI story any more than I want to sit around and listen to ChatGPT tell me about its hopes and dreams. If the story has no soul then it lacks the one and only thing that can make it worthwhile or interesting,” he wrote.

Beyond creative industries, Walsh also warned about AI’s economic consequences.

On February 11, he retweeted an article titled “Something Big Is Happening” by Matt Shumer.

In amplifying the piece, Walsh argued that artificial intelligence was already reshaping the workforce, predicting widespread disruption and job losses. He described AI as an “avalanche” that had “already” arrived, adding that millions of jobs were at risk.

“This is a really good article. AI is going to wipe out millions of jobs. It’s happening now. Everything is changing. The avalanche is already here. Most of what we’re currently arguing about will be irrelevant very soon,” he wrote.

Matt Walsh’s remarks highlight a wider debate about how AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming education. While critics have warned that easy access to AI could promote shortcuts and weaken traditional learning, supporters of AI have also argued that its use could strengthen critical thinking, personalize instruction, and assist teachers in the long run.