As the early excitement surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) in education fades, experts believe that 2025 will focus on its practical implementation, emphasizing the significance of teacher leadership, improved data usage, and addressing the ethical implications of AI in schools.

For AI to be effective, instructors must receive sufficient training. Tara Nattrass of the International Society for Technology in Education predicts that by 2025, there will be a change from ambiguity to empowered AI adoption, driven by large-scale professional development that boosts teacher confidence. Sean Michael Morris of Course Hero emphasizes that instructors should be involved in the creation of AI tools to ensure that they promote cooperation rather than isolate learning. Furthermore, Nhon Ma, CEO of Numerade, believes that tailored learning will continue to gain pace, with short-form films, interactive simulations, and audio content catering to various learning styles.

National Issues

At the national level, state leaders are expected to play a stronger role in solving critical concerns such as cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital equity. According to Julia Fallon of the State Educational Technology Directors Association, state-level leadership will help schools embrace technology in meaningful ways. Keith Krueger, CEO of the Consortium for School Networking, emphasizes the necessity of safeguarding the E-rate program, which provides schools with critical broadband and Wi-Fi access. The elimination of the ESSER program means that schools will have to be more selective in their ed-tech investments. Melissa Loble of Instructure points out that schools will use data to assess the effectiveness of educational initiatives spanning from academic success to mental health support.

As the ESSER program expires, schools will need to make more informed judgments regarding technology spending. Loble highlights the need of evidence-based decision-making for the long-term viability of effective initiatives. With AI's potential, Marc Booker, Vice Provost of Strategy at the University of Phoenix, believes that institutions will recognize the significance of high-quality data for AI to function effectively. To fully benefit from AI tools, schools will need to improve data collecting.              

Higher education will also modernize by implementing a "connected campus" model. Saravanan Subbarayan of KPMG expects that institutions will build a consistent online experience, promote research laboratories, and employ datadriven technologies to improve decision-making. This will lead to better educational experiences and increased innovation. Ryan Lufkin of Instructure says that AI will be crucial to this modernization, preparing students for a lifetime of learning and adaptation rather than simply their first job.

AI Ethics

As AI becomes more incorporated into schools, there is a greater demand for AI literacy, which teaches students how to critically comprehend and responsibly use AI. Ryan Lufkin believes that AI literacy will become as vital as basic computer skills. Sean Michael Morris emphasizes the significance of tackling AI's ethical concerns, such as its environmental impact, cultural implications, and role in altering the concept of intelligence. These debates will be critical as AI continues to influence schooling.