Artificial intelligence is here, and unlike what you’ve seen in the movies, it isn’t coming to destroy humans – it’s coming to disrupt our classrooms. Should teachers and education leaders be excited, afraid or maybe a little bit of both?
No matter how you slice it, there is a lot of buzz around AI right now – especially in the K-12 education community. This year at IETC, our statewide community has an exciting opportunity to cut through that buzz and start a meaningful conversation about AI’s emerging impact in Illinois classrooms during the inaugural AI in Education Summit.
During this special event, teachers and education leaders will move past talking about the latest AI tools and lean into timely, education-focused conversations, including how K-12 stakeholders can craft effective AI policies that foster ethical use, equitable access, and future work readiness.
Even if you’re new to AI in general, this summit will offer a welcoming space to learn how current students are already harnessing AI and grow more aware of how this computing revolution will shape learning in the years ahead.
When it comes to understanding such an impactful shift in education, nothing beats relatable experiences shared by a homegrown voice.
That’s why IETC is honored to have 2007 Illinois Teacher of the Year Joe Fatheree leading our inaugural AI in Education Summit.
An Effingham native, Joe is an internationally-acclaimed AI researcher and visionary. Thanks to his 30+ years of experience as a classroom teacher, Joe remains firmly rooted in the real-world implications of AI’s widespread rollout, ensuring that the educators he works with are mentally prepared to tackle AI’s complex challenges and potential.
As he continues his research into the effects of AI on human cognition, Joe will bring his down-to-earth perspectives to IETC’s center stage. Through him, attendees can sharpen their awareness of AI’s emerging presence in their personal and professional lives, as well as discover strategies for shaping AI-related conversations back in their home districts.
School districts in Illinois and beyond are struggling to wrap their minds around AI’s transformative potential. Between AI’s emergent nature and rapid evolution, most educational stakeholders are still left wanting for tools and schema to safely implement AI in a learning environment.
With this need in mind, Joe will focus the first half of his talk on simple awareness – where AI is now, what it is capable of, and how it is already being utilized in medicine, agriculture, and other industries.
From there, attendees will dive into the future of work, including how AI may impact educators’ work and the skills students will need to succeed in an AI-supported workforce.
Beyond awareness, Joe will also focus in on the question at the heart of education’s AI conversation – how can schools ethically utilize AI to enhance learning opportunities?
Like so many other parts of the AI conversation, there are no easy answers here. Joe believes that if you’re trying to find the singular “right” answer, you might end up flat-footed as AI’s evolution continues apace.
Instead, he wants to encourage education stakeholders to start crafting durable solutions that meet their teachers’ and students’ unique needs. Rather than opting for a one-size-fits-all solution, questions like these can help your district establish ethics-based trail markers that guide productive policy discussions:
You don’t have to wait until the AI in Education Summit to start (or continue) your AI journey. Here are some of Joe Fatheree’s top AI-related media recommendations for curious educators like you:
Sir Anthony Seldon & Oladimeji Adiboye
Podcast hosted by Tristan Harris & Aza Raskin
At IETC 2023, edtech’s bright present and future will be on full display. In addition to the AI in Education Summit, join your fellow educators for three days of learning and networking centered on the tools and strategies needed to bring tech-powered learning to life.
Right now, get an Early Bird discount and save up to $50 on your full conference ticket, which includes access to every workshop and session plus two must-see keynotes – all led by edtech enthusiasts, educators, and innovators like you.
Sam leads and supports the execution and growth of LTC services through the development and creation of innovative, impactful, and timely digital content.
Joe serves as an instructional technology coach who works to amplify and enrich lessons, trainings, and technology integration support in the BLANK region.
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