At ISTELive 2024, keynote speaker Sinead Bovell urged educators to view AI as a transformative technology on par with electricity. Bovell highlighted that AI will become a foundational aspect of society, and schools must prepare students to engage with it effectively. Rather than training for specific jobs, she emphasized the need to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity — capabilities that will give students a competitive edge in an AI-powered world.
Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD, echoed this sentiment, stating that educators are responsible for understanding AI deeply and guiding students in using it constructively. Addressing concerns about cheating, Culatta argued that cheating is a cultural issue, not a technological one. He urged schools to focus on crafting assessments that make cheating irrelevant and instead leverage AI to adapt and enhance learning experiences.
However, integrating AI into the classroom must be a thoughtful and deliberate process. Amos Fodchuk, president of Advanced Learning Partnerships, recommended starting slowly and building a strong foundation for AI education through policies, frameworks, and community engagement. He warned against rushing AI integration, drawing parallels to the early days of social media and the lessons learned from its rapid adoption.
Fodchuk shared practical steps for implementing AI, such as developing a year-of-learning plan and providing educators with low-stakes opportunities to experiment with AI tools. He emphasized that AI isn’t just another educational technology tool — it’s a transformative force that requires a well-aligned strategy to succeed.
Speakers at ISTELive 2024 made it clear that embracing AI is no longer optional. Schools that fail to integrate this technology risk leaving students unprepared for a world where AI will be ubiquitous, making it essential for educators to take proactive steps now to ensure students are ready for the future.
