As artificial intelligence reshapes the world around us, how can schools harness its power while preparing students to thrive in a future we can scarcely imagine?

ACSA is working to answer that question and chart the future of AI in public education with a new task force.

The ACSA AI Task Force will support AI literacy for every TK-12 student and educator and empower them to use AI ethically, creatively, and effectively to improve learning outcomes.

The task force was created in response to member feedback, said Margarita Cuizon-Armelino, ACSA deputy executive director.

“After surveying more than 400 of our members across California, it became clear that school leaders are eager for guidance, professional learning, and a roadmap for using AI responsibly and effectively,” she said. “That feedback is exactly what led to the formation of this task force, to meet the moment and support our members as they navigate this rapidly evolving space.”

The task force was approved by ACSA’s Executive Board in May and is chaired by Dr. Amy Alzina, superintendent of Cold Spring School District.

“I know there are many districts doing incredible work in AI,” Alzina said. “But there hasn’t been a space for them to share and learn from one another. That’s what we’re hoping to create with this task force — a collaborative space where large and small districts, superintendents and principals, tech innovators and policy experts can come together, learn from each other, and grow stronger. Our ultimate goal is to ensure all students are on a path toward success.”

With a student-centered approach that will ensure equitable access to this new tool, the task force seeks to future-ready education and prepare students for success in an AI-driven world.

The task force is comprised of 16 members — administrators, policy and government leaders, and AI and industry experts that will shape ACSA’s direction and leadership on this issue.

The task force’s objectives during 2025-26 center around:

TK-12 AI Leadership Blueprint — Creating a scalable TK-12 AI Leadership Blueprint for district leaders.

AI advocacy — Creating an AI advocacy platform to support the development and advancement of AI legislation that is effective for the educational setting.

AI Professional Learning — Promoting practical applications and professional development of AI, including plans to host an online learning series, learning strands at the 2025 Leadership Summit and 2026 Superintendents’ Symposium, and an ACSA AI Summit that will be held next month.

Alzina said the ACSA AI Summit will be a space for all administrators to begin building connections with other thought leaders in AI. At the two-day workshop in Santa Barbara, participants will gain insights from experts and have dedicated time to collaborate on an AI implementation strategy for their site or district.

“Whenever I attend an enriching conference, I return feeling energized for the entire year — that’s the goal of the summit,” Alzina said. “Participants will leave with a tangible action plan and the confidence to lead with purpose in the year ahead.”

Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear a keynote presentation from Christian Jackson, who will share visionary insights on AI in schools. Alzina met Jackson in January 2023 and invited him to speak at her district.

“I quickly realized how brilliant Jackson is,” she said, referring to his recent 2022 graduation from Loyola Marymount University. “He understands the world of technology and is also an exceptional presenter — a rare combination of talents.”

The conversations Jackson had with Alzina about artificial intelligence and education inspired him to found EdaptSchoolsAI, a company that partners with schools across the country to make AI more impactful.

At Cold Spring School District, one of the top-performing districts in the state, Alzina has empowered staff to use AI tools with tremendous results.

“AI has been a game-changer for personalized learning,” she said. “Some students just need to fly, and they’re great at working independently, while some students need a lot more targeted support. Adaptive AI tools really free up teachers to be able to do that.”

AI can also quickly accomplish administrative tasks, which benefits smaller districts with fewer staff members. Alzina said tasks like writing a facilities plan or a newsletter for families can now take minutes instead of hours.

When Alzina thinks about the future for her students, she wants to prepare them for a world where they can use their creativity and empathy to solve the big problems facing humanity.

“AI is going to level the playing field so that all students — including those who have traditionally struggled in school — can go out and make the world a better place,” she said. “But that’s only going to work if we teach them how to use those tools. We need to start integrating AI into our schools now so our students don’t get left behind.”

Dr. Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Spring SD and ACSA Board Member (Chair) Margarita Cuizon-Armelino, ACSA Deputy Executive Director Yuri Calderon, Small School Districts’ Association Executive Director Adam Brotman, Co-Founder of Forum3 and former Starbuck’s Chief Digital Officer and EVP of Global Retail Operations Christian Jackson, Co-Founder and CEO of EDAPT School’s AI Jamie Nunez, Sr. Manager, Outreach and Learning, Common Sense Media Dorothy Johnson, ACSA Legislative Advocate Kevin Gordon, President, Capitol Advisors Greg Ko, Region 6, Director of Technology, Castro Valley USD Katherine Castleberry, Region 14, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education, Torrance USD Scott Nanik, Region 7, Superintendent, Bret Harte UHSD Leslie Wagonseller, Region 13, Director of Technology, Orcutt School District Traci King, Region 15, Principal, Sage Oak Charter High School Jamie Green, Region 1, Superintendent, Trinity Alps School District Terry Walker, Region 17, Retired Superintendent, Irvine Unified School District Dr. Kelly May Vollmar, Region 19, Superintendent, Desert Sands and CoSN Board member