Young people in our schools and communities are disengaged, disconnected, and suffering mental health challenges. The rise of generative AI has the potential to exacerbate this problem or transform it. This session will outline new evidence on how to understand and support student engagement and agency and offer practical strategies for how to mitigate the risks of AI while harnessing the benefits.

Presenter: Dr. Rebecca Winthrop – Director of the Education Brookings Institute

Rebecca Winthrop is a leading global authority on education, the director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. She is dedicated to ensuring that every child can thrive in life, work, and as an engaged citizen. She leads cutting-edge research and initiatives aimed at transforming education systems around the world to better support children’s learning and development.

Rebecca is a trusted advisor to both school communities and national and international organizations. Her expertise is sought by many including parent networks, schools, district education leaders, the White House, the United Nations, and Fortune 500 companies. Rebecca’s work is centered on developing and advocating for evidence-based strategies that bring people together—families, educators, policymakers, and companies—to help children maximize their potential.

She holds a PhD from Columbia University’s Teachers College, an MA from its School of International and Public Affairs, and a BA from Swarthmore College.

• Centres of Excellence Learning Model Descriptions
• Digital Literacy Framework Poster
• Leveraging Technology Plan
• Recommended Approaches to Generative AI

Presenter: Michelle Byrne – Learning Specialist Digital Solutions in French Language Learning, EECD Digital Learning and System Excellence

Description:

Imagine a future where artificial intelligence (AI) handles complex tasks, freeing us to focus on what truly matters: relationships, creativity, and personal interaction. From mundane to meaningful, from isolation to integration, from content to connection, discover how AI can shift our daily engagements toward deeper, more impactful experiences.How do we make this happen? Design thinking offers the methods and mindset necessary to create cultures of innovation that begin with empathy. And we’re not doing this work alone, the SPARK framework complements this by offering a structured way to prompt and partner with AI to build human and digital teams that complement each other. Together, they ensure AI not only enhances our human skills but also enriches our connections, allowing us to live, work, and learn in more engaging and meaningful ways. For educators, this means creating classrooms where AI supports personalized learning, fosters creativity, and enhances collaboration, ensuring students are prepared for a future where human and AI teamwork is the norm.

Presenter: Dr. Sabba Quidwai, CEO Designing Schools & AI educational consultant

Sabba believes cultures of innovation begin with a culture of empathy. Her journey took her from being a high school teacher to education executive at Apple. Dr. Quidwai now works with organizations to design schools that give young people the mindset and skills to thrive in workplaces and as global citizens. Sabba hosts the podcast, “Designing Schools,”and released a documentary in 2020 based on her research about using design thinking to prepare for a world with AI.

Presentation Resources: 

Keynote Presentation and Reading List

Presenters:

Jordan Smith – ASD-East Technology, AI and Innovation Coordinator

Brenda Cameron – ASD-W Technology and Skilled Trades Coordinator

Darren White – ASD-South Technology and Skilled Trades Coordinator

Description:

Explore AI-powered personalized learning in education! This session showcases dynamic applications from our 4 school districts across grade levels: elementary interactive AI storytelling platforms, middle school AI-driven collaborative simulations, and high school predictive analytics for individualized learning paths. Uncover how AI transforms classrooms and empowers student success!

Presentation Resources: 

Digital Learning In New Brunswick School Districts slide deck