Past Events
The DC AI Collaborative convenes educators, school leaders, policymakers, and community partners to learn from practice and engage in shared conversations about artificial intelligence in education. Our past events reflect our commitment to equity-centered learning, transparency, and cross-school collaboration.
The Current State of EdTech, TeenTech & AI
On Wednesday, September 30, from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, Washington Leadership Academy hosted the first DC AI Collaborative convening of the school year.
The conversation went beyond individual AI tools to look at the rapidly changing technology landscape surrounding our students.
Together, we explored questions like:
- What does AI actually look like in schools today?
- What are the biggest challenges emerging around AI, social media, phones, privacy, and student well-being?
- What does the growing “tech backlash” mean for schools?
- How do we distinguish between responsible technology use and simply eliminating technology?
- What does good implementation actually look, feel, and sound like in a school?
We also discussed emerging issues ranging from the Meta settlement and phone restrictions to FERPA, centrally managed AI tools, and the rapidly changing availability of platforms schools have begun relying on.
One lesson from WLA’s journey continues to guide this work: waiting for perfect guidance is itself a strategy—and often not a very good one. Had we waited for comprehensive AI guidance before engaging our students, many would still be navigating these tools without meaningful adult support.
Expert School Visit: Staff Use of AI
This event brought together local school leaders to explore how artificial intelligence is being integrated into classrooms at Washington Leadership Academy.
Participants:
- Heard about WLA’s model and the vision behind the DC AI Collaborative
- Engaged with teachers about the benefits and challenges of AI in the classroom
- Heard from a panel that included school leaders, teachers, and industry professionals
The convening emphasized that successful AI implementation for students across Washington, DC depends on cross-sector collaboration and dismantling longstanding silos between schools and systems.
Pathways to Progress: From Vision to Action
This event brought together local school leaders, educators, and policy stakeholders to explore how artificial intelligence is being integrated into classrooms at Washington Leadership Academy. Round table discussions were held in order to build an AI Needs Assessment for Washington, DC schools.
Participants:
- Observed AI-supported instruction in real classrooms
- Listened to lightning talks about how WLA stakeholders are using AI in their practice
- Discussed implications for teaching, learning, and workforce readiness
- Provided direct feedback to how we can continue building and scaling for DC students and teachers
The convening emphasized that AI implementation is an equity issue, and inaction is not neutral—it risks widening existing opportunity gaps.
Pathways to Progress: AI @ WLA
This event brought together local school leaders, educators, and policy stakeholders to explore how artificial intelligence is being integrated into classrooms at Washington Leadership Academy.
Participants:
- Observed AI-supported instruction in real classrooms
- Engaged directly with WLA educators about instructional design decisions
- Discussed implications for teaching, learning, and workforce readiness
- Explored how policy and practice can better align around responsible AI use
The convening emphasized AI as a tool to strengthen educator practice and student agency, not replace human judgment.