On Nov. 1, the city of Beverly Hills became an epicenter for educational transformation as the TechQuity™ Summit unfolded with purpose, passion, and possibility. Hosted by ACSA Region 16 under the leadership of Dr. Simone Charles, president of the ACSA Council of Equity Leaders, the Summit convened educators, leaders, and thinkers around the core question: How do we ensure that as artificial intelligence accelerates across schools, the principle of equity guides every step?

A vision realized Charles brought to the TechQuity Summit a vision deeply rooted in justice, inclusion, and innovation. Her journey toward this moment began with her participation in the inaugural ACSA AI Task Force kickoff, led by its president, Dr. Amy Alzina — a gathering that sparked the idea of blending AI literacy with equity imperatives. At that event, educators explored how AI can enhance learning, but more importantly, how it must do so in ways that uphold access, fairness, and human dignity.

Inspired by that kickoff, Charles set out to create a space where technology and equity aren’t in tension, but in dialogue — and where leaders commit to not only understanding AI, but shaping it in service of all learners.

Who was there The TechQuity Summit featured a roster of influential presenters and panelists, each bringing unique expertise to the conversation:

• Jamin Brazil
• Leena Bakshi
• Nina Torres
• Chase Moore
• Devery Rogers
• Amy Yamamoto Callahan
• Christian Jackson
• Sri Narayanan

Their sessions covered the full spectrum of how AI intersects with schooling — strategies, frameworks, systems, human-centered design, mental wellness, and the ever-critical topic of algorithmic bias.

Attendance also included key leadership from the state level of ACSA: current President Dr. Daryl Camp, President-Elect Dr. Rene Rickard and Past President Rafael Placentia. Also present at this groundbreaking summit were Dr. Tracie Tagamolila Noriega, senior director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Professional Learning, and Anthony Robinson, director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

A special note of thanks was offered to Subject CEO Michael Vilardo and Chief of Staff Ana Romero and their team for providing a warm, welcoming space for this gathering. Their hospitality helped set a tone of reflection and community-building.

What they explored The program was organized around several critical topic strands making up the architecture of TechQuity:

Equitable integration of AI in schools — How do we embed AI tools in instructional practice so that students from all backgrounds benefit, rather than deepen existing divides?

Keeping the human aspect in the age of AI technology — As machines take on more tasks, how do we preserve human relationships, judgment, creativity, and care within schooling?

AI frameworks for leaders — Practical frameworks and decision-making guides for administrators to understand, deploy, monitor, and evaluate AI systems in equitable ways.

Mental wellness and AI — Exploration of how AI tools can support, or inadvertently harm, student mental health, and what educators must know to steer toward wellness.

Algorithmic biases — A dive into how algorithms can reproduce and intensify inequities (race, ability, socioeconomic status) unless we proactively guard against them.

Each session aimed to move beyond talk into actionable commitments: frameworks to trial, pulses to monitor, language to use with staff and students, and design thinking to center equity.

Why it matters In a moment when AI is rapidly permeating our educational systems, the TechQuity Summit served as a timely intervention. It reminded leaders that technology alone is not the solution — equity is. And when equity and technology collaborate, we unlock a future where all students — not just some — are prepared for a changing world.

What’s next Charles extended a heartfelt invitation in her closing remarks to remain connected, to continue the dialogue, and to stay human. The next steps are forming: implementation of AI-equity pilot projects, peer-network forums for school leaders, follow-up webinars, and collaborative design of AI tools with an equity lens. The Council of Equity Leaders and ACSA will play key roles in maintaining momentum and accountability.

Charles also quoted Octavia E. Butler from “Parable of the Sower”: “All that you touch You Change. All that you Change Changes you. The only lasting truth is Change.”

In that spirit, TechQuity was not framed as a one-time event, but as a catalyst of change: change in mindset, change in practice, change in systems — and change that endures.

Final thoughts The TechQuity Summit positioned equity not as an afterthought, but as front and center to how educational institutions adopt and adapt AI. Through Charles’ leadership and the convening power of ACSA, the seeds have been sown for a movement. A movement where technology serves humanity, and humanity leads technology. And for the many educators, students, and administrators who participated, the question now becomes: What will we touch? How will we change? And how will we be changed in the process?

With deep appreciation and gratitude to all who participated — and to the work yet ahead — the Summit marked a moment of both reflection and forward motion. The journey continues.