Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how we live, work, and learn. For public education, the rise of AI brings both opportunity and responsibility. School boards are uniquely positioned to guide districts in exploring AI’s potential—while safeguarding the values that make our schools strong.
At the district level, AI can be a powerful tool to improve efficiency and support data-driven decision-making. Predictive analytics can help identify at-risk students earlier, allowing schools to intervene more effectively. AI systems can also optimize transportation routes, manage energy usage, and streamline administrative processes, freeing staff to focus on students.
But technology alone doesn’t improve education—leadership does. Boards must ensure any AI implementation aligns with strategic goals and community values. That means setting policies that protect student data, ensure equity, and demand transparency from vendors. To that regard, the New Jersey School Boards Association has a model policy for boards to consider.
In classrooms, AI can support personalized learning by adapting content to meet students’ individual needs. Language translation tools and speech-to-text features can help remove barriers for English learners and students with disabilities. Intelligent tutoring systems can provide real-time feedback and practice beyond the school day.
Still, no artificial intelligence can replace the instincts of a skilled teacher. AI should enhance—not replace—classroom instruction. Teachers remain the heart of learning, using their judgment to guide students, inspire curiosity, and respond to social and emotional needs. Boards can support this balance by ensuring teachers have time and training to explore AI in ways that support their instructional goals.
Looking ahead, preparing students for a world shaped by AI also means helping them understand how it works and how to use it ethically. School boards can lead by supporting curricula that build digital literacy, critical thinking, and awareness of technology’s impact on society.
Embracing AI is not about adopting every new tool—it’s about aligning innovation with purpose. With thoughtful policies and a commitment to equity, school boards can ensure AI strengthens our schools.
But let’s be clear: the heart of education will always be the human connection. It’s the teacher who knows when a student needs encouragement, when to ask a hard question, and how to light a spark that no machine ever could.
And as for me, I am personally bullish on the future of AI in public education—not because it’s a trend, but because of its real potential to help us better serve our students, staff, and communities. At the New Jersey School Boards Association, we’re actively exploring how AI can help us analyze what content our members find most valuable, who engages with it, and how we can tailor our offerings to better meet the evolving needs of local boards. By harnessing these insights, we aim to provide smarter, more targeted support that empowers school leaders across the state.
