Humans in an AI World: Key Insights from CoSN 2025

The CoSN 2025 Conference, held in Seattle, brought together IT leaders, superintendents, and district teams to explore the transformative role of AI in education, as highlighted in eSchool News. This year’s theme, Humans in an AI World, emphasized the importance of human leadership in navigating the promises and challenges of AI in K-12 education. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways and highlights from the event.

AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s here, and it’s reshaping education. As Ken Shelton, an independent consultant and keynote speaker, noted in his opening address, Reimagining Learning with AI: A Path to Empowerment, “AI holds immense potential to empower educators and students, but it also comes with risks that must be carefully managed.” Shelton’s session explored strategies to maximize AI’s benefits while addressing ethical concerns, ensuring it becomes a tool for true educational empowerment.

One of the most pressing discussions at CoSN 2025 revolved around equity. During a panel titled Leadership, Not Bystanders, Lindsay E. Jones (CEO of CAST), Lindsay Kruse (CEO of All Means All), and Rachell Johnson (Director of Assistant Technology at SCATP) emphasized the need to ensure no student is left behind as AI becomes more integrated into classrooms. Moderator Sarah Radcliffe, Director of Future Ready Learning in the School District of Altoona, highlighted the importance of proactive leadership: “We must be intentional about how we use AI to create inclusive learning environments.”

The closing keynote, Beyond the Algorithm–Building Trust, Access, and Purpose in AI-Enhanced Education, featured insights from Richard Culatta (ISTE + ASCD), Victor Lee (Stanford University), Pati Ruiz (Digital Promise), and Kris J. Hagel (Peninsula School District). The panel focused on ensuring AI enhances, rather than diminishes, human potential. Culatta stressed, “Trust is the foundation of any successful AI implementation in education. Without it, even the most advanced tools will fail to make an impact.”

CoSN 2025 offered a variety of workshops and spotlight sessions tailored to different roles in education. Key topics included:

• Student Data Privacy: Protecting sensitive information in an AI-driven world.
• Generative AI Implementation: Practical strategies for integrating AI tools into classrooms.
• Cybersecurity and Physical Security: Addressing emerging threats in schools.

FERPA Compliance: Navigating legal requirements in the digital age.

• Chief Technology Officers: Strategies for securing funding, building infrastructure, and maximizing resources.
• Instructional Technology Directors: Tools for personalizing instruction and bridging the gap between technical and instructional teams.
• Superintendents and District Teams: Insights into creating a vision for digital transformation and fostering innovative cultures.
• Industry and Nonprofit Representatives: Understanding the challenges faced by schools and exploring emerging tools for learning.

A recurring theme at CoSN 2025 was the debate over student use of AI for assignments. While some educators advocate for embracing AI with clear guidelines, others remain cautious. The consensus? AI is here to stay, and schools must find a balance between leveraging its potential and maintaining academic integrity.

CoSN 2025 underscored the importance of human leadership in an AI-driven world. As AI continues to evolve, educators must remain at the forefront, ensuring it serves as a tool for empowerment, equity, and innovation.