AI Agency for Educators - (Core) Part 1 / 2
- Date
- 2026-08-04
- Host
- Playlab Workshops Calendar
About this event
AI is changing how teaching gets planned, delivered, and improved, but most educators are still being asked to use it as a tool rather than think with it as a partner. AI Agency for Educators - (Core) Part 1 / 2 is designed for people who want a more practical, more thoughtful approach: not hype, not theory alone, but a clear starting point for understanding autonomy, decision-making, and what it means to work alongside AI in education. This in-person session brings together educators and education-adjacent professionals who want to build fluency, ask sharper questions, and connect with others exploring the same shift. If you have been curious about where AI fits into your teaching, leadership, curriculum work, or learning design, this is a strong place to begin. About the Event This is Part 1 of a 2-part core experience, which means the session is intended to establish shared language, core ideas, and a practical foundation you can build on. The focus is not simply on using AI faster; it is on understanding agency: how humans set direction, how AI systems can extend capacity, and where judgment, responsibility, and autonomy matter most in educational settings. Because the event is in person, the format supports real discussion rather than passive consumption. You can expect a room where people are not just listening to ideas, but testing them against the realities of classrooms, programs, institutions, and communities. The tags for this event, including ai-agency, autonomy, community, and networking, point to its purpose clearly: this is both a learning session and a space for meaningful professional exchange. Whether you are brand new to these ideas or already experimenting with AI in your work, this first session is meant to help you get oriented. It creates a common baseline so future conversations can move beyond surface-level questions and into more useful, grounded application. What to Expect Expect a structured session that introduces the core concepts behind AI agency in an educator-friendly way. Rather than assuming everyone comes in with the same background, the event is likely to meet attendees at different levels of familiarity and create a shared entry point for the group. You can expect the experience to include: A core framework for thinking about AI, autonomy, and educator decision-making Guided discussion around where AI supports human work and where human judgment remains essential Real-time reflection on how these ideas connect to teaching, learning, curriculum, leadership, and student support Conversation with peers who are also working through practical and ethical questions around AI in education Preparation for Part 2, with concepts and language that give the next session more depth and relevance Because this is a community-oriented event, there is also strong value in what happens between the formal moments. Informal conversations before, during, and after the session can help you compare approaches, pressure-test assumptions, and hear how others are navigating similar challenges. In a field where many people are experimenting in isolation, that kind of exchange matters. You should also expect the tone to be practical. This is not about abstract futurism or blanket claims that AI will solve everything. It is about understanding what changes when educators have access to more capable systems, and how to respond with clarity rather than confusion. Why Attend If you work in education, AI is already affecting the conditions around your work, whether through student use, institutional pressure, new tools, or changing expectations. Attending this event helps you move from reacting to those changes toward interpreting them more strategically. Instead of asking only, "What tool should I use?" you will have the chance to ask, "What role should AI play in my work, and what role should remain fully human?" This session is especially valuable because it centers agency rather than novelty. That shift matters. It helps educators think about boundaries, responsibility, workflow design, and professional identity in a way that is more durable than any single app or platform. You are not just learning what AI can do; you are learning how to position yourself in relation to it. Attendees can expect takeaways such as: A stronger vocabulary for discussing AI in educational settings Better questions to ask before adopting or recommending AI-supported practices More confidence in distinguishing productive use from uncritical use Insight from peers facing similar opportunities and concerns A clearer foundation for continuing into the second part of the series There is also simple value in being in the room with others who care about this topic. Education can make new technology feel either overhyped or overwhelming. A focused in-person gathering creates space for nuance, practical honesty, and real professional connection. Practical Details This is an in-person event taking place on Tuesday, August 4 at 6:00 PM EDT. If you prefer learning environments where you can ask questions, read the room, and build relationships more naturally than in a virtual setting, this format is a major advantage. As Part 1 / 2, this session works best if you come ready to engage with the foundational ideas rather than looking only for shortcuts or prepackaged answers. Think of it as the place to build your base: understand the concepts, meet the community, and get aligned for deeper work in the next session. A few helpful ways to prepare: Come with a specific question or challenge related to AI in your educational work Be ready to discuss both opportunities and concerns openly Plan to stay present for conversation, not just content If you are considering Part 2, treat this first session as the context you will want going forward If you have been looking for a grounded, community-based entry point into AI and autonomy in education, this is a strong one. The session is built for thoughtful people who want substance, practical perspective, and a better way to understand what AI means for the future of educational work.
Who should attend
This is for you if you want a smarter, more grounded way to think about AI in education, especially in conversation with other thoughtful practitioners. - **You are a teacher, instructor, or professor** trying to understand how AI fits into planning, assessment, student support, or classroom decision-making. - **You work in school, program, or institutional leadership** and need better frameworks for thinking about autonomy, policy, adoption, and responsible use. - **You support learning design, curriculum, or educational innovation** and want language that goes deeper than tool demos and trend summaries. - **You are AI-curious but skeptical** and want space to ask practical or ethical questions without being pushed toward simplistic conclusions. - **You are already experimenting with AI** and want a stronger conceptual foundation, peer perspective, and a community of people doing similar work. - **You value in-person conversation and networking** and want to meet educators who are actively figuring out what meaningful AI integration should look like. If you are looking for a beginner-friendly but serious starting point, and you want ideas you can actually think with after the event, you will likely feel at home here.