In a recent meeting, Matt Winters, an AI specialist at the Utah State Board of Education, provided updates on the integration of artificial intelligence in education across Utah. Highlighting the success of the USB AI Summit, which concluded in September, Winters reported that six summits attracted approximately 500 to 600 educators statewide.
The summits facilitated valuable discussions between local education agencies (LEAs) and approved vendors, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in the development of AI resources for educational purposes. Winters noted a significant demand for future summits, particularly focusing on the inclusion of AI in various content areas, grade levels, and specialized topics within education.
A key takeaway from the summits was the shared interest among K-12 educators and higher education institutions in addressing training and integration of AI technologies. Winters expressed enthusiasm for further outreach with higher education partners to align efforts and tackle common challenges.
In response to requests from LEAs, the Board plans to host a virtual version of the summit, aiming to provide additional training opportunities for educators and ensure that resources are accessible to a broader audience. This initiative reflects a commitment to enhancing AI literacy and application in Utah's educational landscape.