Humans Thrive in AI Driven World

School technology leaders gathering in Seattle next month will face a central question: how to keep humans at the center as artificial intelligence pushes further into classrooms. The Consortium for School Networking, or CoSN, has set its 2025 conference theme around human leadership in an AI world. The event runs from March 31 to April 2 at the Seattle Convention Center.

The opening keynote on Monday features Ken Shelton, an independent consultant and speaker. His talk, titled “Reimagining Learning with AI: A Path to Empowerment,” will examine both the promise and the pitfalls of using AI in education. Shelton plans to outline strategies that maximize benefits while addressing risks, according to the conference agenda. He argues that AI should become a tool for true empowerment — not just automation.

On Tuesday, a panel of education leaders will take the stage for a session called “Leadership, Not Bystanders.” The group includes Lindsay E. Jones, CEO of CAST, an organization focused on universal design for learning; Lindsay Kruse, CEO of All Means All; and Rachell Johnson, director of assistive technology at the South Carolina Assistive Technology Program. Sarah Radcliffe, director of Future Ready Learning in the School District of Altoona, will moderate. The panel will discuss how to ensure no student is left behind as AI reshapes education.

The closing keynote on Wednesday brings together Richard Culatta of ISTE + ASCD, Victor Lee from Stanford’s Graduate School of Education, Pati Ruiz from Digital Promise, and Kris J. Hagel of the Peninsula School District. Their session, “Beyond the Algorithm – Building Trust, Access, and Purpose in AI-Enhanced Education,” aims to keep AI from diminishing human potential. The focus is on making sure technology serves people, not the other way around.

CoSN also scheduled several spotlight sessions covering cybersecurity, physical security, cell phone policies in classrooms, and the top edtech trends for 2025. One session will look at edtech and AI quality indicators. Another will cover FERPA, the federal student privacy law. These sessions reflect the practical concerns that school districts face daily.

The conference targets instructional technology directors, superintendents, district teams, and representatives from education service agencies. Industry, government, and nonprofit attendees are also expected. Organizers say the event is designed for people who make decisions about technology in schools — not just vendors.

Some observers note that AI conferences often focus too much on the technology itself and not enough on the people using it. CoSN’s emphasis on human leadership this year suggests an attempt to balance that conversation. The sessions on FERPA and quality indicators suggest the organization is taking student privacy and equity concerns seriously.

One panel session, “Leadership, Not Bystanders,” explicitly calls on education leaders to be active participants rather than passive observers. The title sets a tone that attendees cannot afford to wait and see how AI develops. They must shape its use in their districts.

The closing keynote will try to define trust and purpose in AI-enhanced education. With four speakers from different organizations — from a nonprofit focused on edtech standards to a university researcher — the discussion will likely cover both policy and practice.

Ken Shelton’s opening keynote could set the stage for a cautious but forward-looking approach. He has spoken previously about equity in technology access and the need for critical thinking about new tools.

The conference comes at a time when many school districts are still figuring out their AI policies. Some have banned generative AI outright; others are experimenting with chatbots and tutoring systems. CoSN’s framework for human leadership may help districts find a middle path.

The agenda reflects a field that is trying to move past hype and toward practical, ethical implementation.

More information is available on the CoSN website.