The future of education is deeper learning, and it’s powered by artificial intelligence. The branding is possibility. The vision (in Anaheim UHSD) is to “create a better world through Unlimited You.”
That was the resounding message at the AI K-12 Deeper Learning Summit, held at the end of February in Anaheim. Educators, researchers, and students gathered to explore the transformative potential of AI in education, grappling with both the exciting possibilities and the crucial questions surrounding its implementation. The timely convening was hosted by Anaheim Union High School District, Digital Promise, UC Irvine School of Education, and aiEDU.
Powerful Learning in the Age of AI
The summit kicked off with a powerful opening from Jean-Claud Brizard of Digital Promise, who emphasized the importance of Powerful Learning in this new era. He highlighted the need for educational models that go beyond rote memorization and focus on developing critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills – precisely the skills that will be essential for students to thrive alongside AI.
Anaheim Union High School District has become a showcase of Powerful Learning building on two decades of mentorship from international champion of deep learning Michael Fullan who (in several summit sessions) stressed moral purpose, relationship building, systemic change, and coherence making.
In the updated 6th edition of The New Meaning of Educational Change, Fullan emphasizing the importance of fostering learners who are “good in society, and good for society” by global competencies (known in Anaheim as the 5Cs).
Michael Fullan, Max Drummy, and June Ahn (UCI), tackled the critical question of what will replace traditional test scores as measures of student success. Fullan noted that only a fifth of students find a sense of purpose in their education, and many have simply “walked away.” They emphasized the need to change the fundamental structure and culture of schooling, integrating input from all stakeholders – bottom, middle, and top.
Unlimited You: Teacher & Student Perspectives on the Power of AI
Five years ago Anaheim superintendent Michael Matsuda introduced the Unlimited You vision and districtwide branding. The vision of personal and collective possibility is now more relevant than even in the age of generative AI.
A visit to Magnolia High School offered a concrete example of how AI is being integrated into a school setting. Amy Kwon (Director of Innovative Programs) showcased the use of data, including “street data,” map data, and survey data, to inform decision-making.
Teacher Tyler Sherman demoed the eKadence platform, developed in partnership with UC Irvine, showing how students reflect on 5C progress (collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and compassion) including short TED talks where they tell their story.
Instructional coach Taylor Thorne demonstrated a use case for the eKadence Scrappy chatbot in an advanced theater class (below) quickly producing creative impromptu scripts.
Robert Gaudette, a teacher at Dale Middle School, also provided valuable insights from the educator’s perspective on the school tour and on summit panels. He stressed several Anaheim Union values:
- that education must work for students and not the other way around;
- that in an assets-based instructional approach focused on our community’s strengths and in nurturing everyone’s potential, and
- that public schools should enhance and strengthen democracy through cultivation of student voice and problem solving.
Kali Frederick (HTH GSE) and Aatash Parikh (Inkwire) shared their experiences using AI in project-based learning. Frederick stressed the “teacher as designer” role in an environment of “Collaborative Design.” (Watch for them in an upcoming Getting Smart podcast and check out HTH UnBoxed for more on collaborative design.)
Student Voice: Trust and the Future of Learning
Perhaps the most compelling voices at the summit were those of the students themselves. Rylee Robles, a senior at Los Alamitos High School, shared her experience using AI to explore potential future scenarios. Her key takeaway? “It starts with trust between students and teachers.” This simple yet profound statement highlights the crucial role of human connection and guidance in an AI-enhanced learning environment. AI should be a tool to empower students, not replace the vital relationship between teacher and learner.
The summit featured Orange County students showcasing an AI-fueled sense of possibility. Sophia Le (a senior Westminster High School) and Ishan Jha (a freshman at Troy High School) described their advocacy and peer support as AI ambassadors (there are 20 across the county).
The inclusion of student speakers and perspectives was frequently mentioned as a summit highlight. Conference organizer Brian Brady said attendees particularly appreciated hearing directly from students about their experiences with AI in education.
Advancing AI Readiness
Alex Kotran of aiEDU challenged attendees to push past AI Literacy to AI Readiness: the ability and underlying skills to apply AI Literacy to one’s professional and personal endeavors.
Wes Kriesel of the Orange County Department of Education introduced student AI ambassadors and shared a core principle: Agency > Assistance: “The more we do for students, the less aligned our future is with their happiness. Our role is to create space, not control it.”
Kriesel’s push for learner agency echoed a recent post on X by Andrej Karpathy (former Director of AI @ Tesla, founding team @ OpenAI, and currently building @EurekaLabsAI): “Agency > Intelligence…Agency is significantly more powerful and significantly more scarce.”
Kunal Dalal, author of The AI Parent and Kriesel’s partner in Orange Co, introduced student ambassadors who talked about the importance of developing their own voice and expressing their ideas clearly, even when using AI tools. They said AI should be a tool to assist students, not to replace their own agency and decision-making.
Tools for the Whole Child: Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
Asha Canady (CZI), Michael Matsuda (Anaheim UHSD), and June Ahn (UCI) discussed the use of AI-powered tools to support the whole child, addressing not only academic needs but also social-emotional development and well-being. Their conversation highlighted the potential of AI to personalize teaching, learning, and assessment, creating a more holistic and supportive educational experience.
JC Brizard announced a new edtech product certification underscores the growing recognition that AI tools in education must be rigorously evaluated for effectiveness and alignment with learning goals. The example of YourWay Learning, utilizing the learner variability navigator, demonstrates how AI can be leveraged to personalize learning and cater to individual student needs.
Saturday’s closing sessions focused on the ethical dimensions of AI in education. Christy Crawford (New York City Public Schools), Dr. Sepehr Vakil (Northwestern University), and Dr. Allison Scott (Kapor Foundation) addressed the critical need to teach responsible AI use and promote tech justice, ensuring that all students have equitable access to AI education and that AI tools are used ethically and responsibly.
Key Takeaways
The AI K-12 Deeper Learning Summit left attendees with a sense of both possibility and responsibility. AI has the potential to revolutionize education, personalizing learning, empowering students, and preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the future. However, it is crucial that we approach this technology thoughtfully, ensuring that it is used ethically, equitably, and in a way that enhances, rather than replaces, the essential human elements of teaching and learning. The summit made it clear: the future of education is not just about AI, it’s about us – how we choose to use this powerful tool to create a more just, equitable, and powerful learning experience for all students.
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AI in education empowers deeper learning by enhancing critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, transforming educational experiences.
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