AEC
Expert in AI and education previews AEC keynote
AEC will take place in Sacramento from Wednesday, Dec. 3, through Friday, Dec. 5
Rumman Chowdhury, U.S. Science Envoy, Artificial Intelligence | CEO and Co-Founder, Humane Intelligence
CSBA’s 2025 Annual Education Conference and Trade Show (AEC), taking place Dec. 3-5 in Sacramento, will feature keynote speaker Dr. Rumman Chowdhury, whose passion lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and humanity. A pioneer in AI ethics and governance, Chowdhury helps organizations and communities navigate the complexities of AI with transparency, accountability and practical solutions.
Chowdhury is the CEO and co-founder of Humane Intelligence, a nonprofit advancing community-driven AI auditing and evaluation, and is the appointed U.S. Science Envoy for Artificial Intelligence. Chowdhury answered some questions from CSBA ahead of her General Session appearance on Dec. 5.
What can attendees expect to take away from your General Session that will benefit their district or county office of education?
Attendees will gain a clear understanding of how AI can be a transformative tool in education — enhancing personalized learning, increasing operational efficiency, supporting teachers and creating equitable learning environments. They will learn practical strategies to integrate AI thoughtfully while emphasizing critical thinking, ethical use and inclusivity. The session will also provide insights on how AI can help address diverse student needs, improve engagement and free educators to focus more on meaningful human interaction rather than routine tasks.
What role do you predict AI will play in the K-12 sector in the next decade and how can school systems start preparing now?
AI will increasingly serve as a powerful assistant in K-12 education by personalizing learning experiences, providing immediate and detailed feedback, automating administrative tasks, and helping make abstract or complex content more accessible. It will enhance creativity, critical-thinking and problem-solving opportunities by giving students new tools to explore and create.
To prepare, school systems should:
- Start building AI literacy for both educators and students
- Invest in equitable access to technology to avoid widening gaps
- Develop policies that focus on ethical, transparent and privacy-conscious AI use
- Support ongoing teacher professional development around AI tools
- Foster critical and creative thinking skills in curricula to complement AI’s strengths
What kinds of skills may young people need to prepare them for a world increasingly intertwined with AI?
Young people will need a combination of durable human skills alongside technical AI literacy:
- Basic AI literacy: Understanding how AI works, including concepts like machine learning and ethical implications
- Critical-thinking and problem-solving: Ability to analyze AI-driven data, discern biases and make sound judgments
- Creativity and innovation: Using AI insights to generate new ideas and solutions beyond what AI can produce
- Collaboration and communication: Working effectively with others and using AI as a tool for teamwork
- Adaptability and resilience: Navigating continuous change and learning new skills throughout life
What factors should school systems consider as they evaluate AI tools for use by students and staff?
School systems should evaluate:
- Privacy and data security: How student and staff data are collected, stored and protected
- Equity of access: Ensuring all students have fair access to AI tools and that disparities aren’t widened
- Transparency and explainability: Understanding how the AI tool makes decisions or recommendations
- Alignment with educational goals: Does the tool support curriculum, foster critical thinking and enhance learning outcomes?
- Ethical considerations: Avoiding bias and misinformation and ensuring respectful, culturally responsive content
- Support and training: Availability of professional development for educators for effective use
- Student safety and well-being: Safeguards against misuse or over-reliance on AI
