ACSA’s AI Task Force has curated a series of online learning sessions to make artificial intelligence accessible and practical for all districts, large and small.

The “AI Rising: Empowering California’s School Leaders to Navigate What’s Next” series will be held on Zoom over five sessions in September and October.

Each one-hour session builds on the previous one, giving school leaders actionable strategies, sample policies, demonstrations and breakout time to help their AI vision become a reality.

“The AI Task Force created this series because school leaders across California are asking for guidance on how to thoughtfully and responsibly integrate AI into education,” said Dr. Amy Alzina, chair of ACSA’s AI Task Force. “We wanted to provide a clear pathway from awareness to application that supports administrators with vision clarity, instructional leadership, and systems alignment. This isn’t about theory; it’s about equipping leaders with the tools, strategies, and confidence to guide their districts into the future of learning.”

The free online learning opportunity is intended for superintendents, principals, and other site and district leaders responsible for setting vision, leading PD and aligning systems, Alzina said, adding that teacher leaders, technology directors and board members would also benefit.

“AI touches every part of education, so the content is relevant for anyone charged with leading change in schools,” she said.

Whether attendees are ChatGPT all-stars or complete novices, these sessions will provide a foundational understanding to get started and frameworks, policy templates and practical examples to help refine and expand existing efforts.

To guide them on their journey, series attendees will hear from a diverse group of leaders that include superintendents, principals, policy experts, and AI innovators who bring both vision and real-world experience.

“You’ll gain perspectives on everything from the big-picture role of AI in the global workforce to hands-on demonstrations of classroom tools, from district implementation frameworks to policy and equity guardrails,” Alzina said. “The sessions are designed to inspire, but also to provide practical strategies you can put into action immediately.”

Session 2 When: 10-11 a.m. Sept. 16 Title: “AI in Education: Vision, Urgency, and the Administrator’s Role” Speaker: Christian Jackson, founder and CEO of Edapt Schools Inc. Focus: This session will introduce the “why” behind AI in education and the imperative role of educational leaders. Attendees will hear a real-world implementation story and get a quick intro on emerging tools. Understand how AI is transforming education and the global workforce and define your leadership role in guiding AI readiness.

Session 3 When: 10-11 a.m. Sept. 30 Title: “Tools that Transform: AI for Instructional Leadership and Productivity” Speakers: Traci King, principal, Sage Oak Charter High School; and Brad Bookser, director of IT with Sage Oak Charter Schools Focus: This session will dive into practical tools that boost productivity and enhance teaching and learning. Attendees will participate in a live demo and small group chat around tools aligned to their site’s needs. Discover top AI tools for time-saving and improved workflow (e.g., Gamma, Notebook LM, Claude, Perplexity, Canva) and see how adaptive platforms (Khanmigo, Renaissance/Freckle, NextGen Math) support differentiated instruction.

Session 4 When: 10-11 a.m. Oct. 14 Title: “Strategic Implementation: Leading Your Site/District AI Plan” Speakers: Dr. Amy Alzina, superintendent of Cold Spring School District; and Jerry Almendarez, recently retired superintendent and founder of Creative Futures Collaborative Focus: This session will equip leaders with a framework to build or refine their AI implementation plan. Attendees will get a preview of the AI Plan Builder Toolkit being developed by the task force. Learn how to align AI strategy with LCAP, PD, and student learning outcomes and explore stakeholder engagement and professional learning models.

Session 5 When: 10-11 a.m. Oct. 28 Title: “Policy, Ethics, and Guardrails: Creating Safe and Equitable AI Use” Speakers: Terry Walker, retired superintendent, Irvine USD; Yuri Calderon, executive director of Small School Districts’ Association; Gretchen Shipley, partner with F3 Law; and Jamie Nuñez, senior manager, Outreach and Training at Common Sense Media. Focus: This session will provide policy templates, governance strategies, and equity-centered frameworks. Attendees will discuss hypothetical scenarios in breakout groups and how school leaders should handle them. Review sample board policies and understand legal considerations and student data privacy.