Evaluators and educators warned that AI tools and programming are accelerating faster in wealthier K‑12 schools, leaving many Title I and rural districts behind and creating a new educational divide. The disparity in computing resources, computer science offerings and access to AI applications means some students get early exposure to tools that will shape future college readiness and career paths. Researchers who assessed Chicago Public Schools found stark contrasts between affluent and disadvantaged schools in technology fleets and coursework; wealthy schools often offer advanced CS tracks and IB programs while underfunded schools lack basic computing infrastructure. For higher‑education leaders, the gap affects incoming student preparedness and raises pressure on universities to invest in remediation, outreach and equitable pipeline programs that compensate for uneven K‑12 AI exposure.