Tomorrow's Principal

Can AI Be Your Principal? [Live from SXSW 2024]

April 10, 2024 Aspen Institute Episode 6
Can AI Be Your Principal? [Live from SXSW 2024]
Tomorrow's Principal
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Tomorrow's Principal
Can AI Be Your Principal? [Live from SXSW 2024]
Apr 10, 2024 Episode 6
Aspen Institute

The role of the principal has consistently evolved to keep up with the outside world, and now is no different. With the rise in AI, educators are finding themselves in a unique position to take a deeper look at how this new technology impacts marginalized communities, the use of leaders’ time, and opens the door to creating space for innovation in schools. On this episode of Tomorrow’s Principal, we’re sharing a live recording from SXSW, where we consider the question, can AI be your principal?

In this episode of Tomorrow’s Principal, Gene Pinkard, Nancy Gutiérrez, Ed.L.D., Eva Mejia, Ed.L.D., and Kevin Polston discuss AI at the intersection of our school systems and our different perspectives on the opportunities and risks AI presents. Some of the talking points we go over in this conversation include:

  • AI has potential to optimize logistics and free up the principal’s time, but the focus should still remain on unique human connection and relationship building.
  • With any new technology, schools must consider diverse perspectives and communities’ needs to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities. 
  • Time is the most previous commodity when it comes to innovation and if AI can free up time, we have more room to find areas for creativity and experimentation.
  • Questions to ask yourself to further the thought process of how AI interacts in the school system. 

As our tools, resources, and role as a principal evolve, it remains at the highest importance to keep our focus on the core function of schools, ensuring we are always providing quality education and growth opportunities to our students. 


Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

To learn more about Tomorrow’s Principal or the Aspen Insitute, head to aspeninstitute.org/education 

Show Notes

The role of the principal has consistently evolved to keep up with the outside world, and now is no different. With the rise in AI, educators are finding themselves in a unique position to take a deeper look at how this new technology impacts marginalized communities, the use of leaders’ time, and opens the door to creating space for innovation in schools. On this episode of Tomorrow’s Principal, we’re sharing a live recording from SXSW, where we consider the question, can AI be your principal?

In this episode of Tomorrow’s Principal, Gene Pinkard, Nancy Gutiérrez, Ed.L.D., Eva Mejia, Ed.L.D., and Kevin Polston discuss AI at the intersection of our school systems and our different perspectives on the opportunities and risks AI presents. Some of the talking points we go over in this conversation include:

  • AI has potential to optimize logistics and free up the principal’s time, but the focus should still remain on unique human connection and relationship building.
  • With any new technology, schools must consider diverse perspectives and communities’ needs to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities. 
  • Time is the most previous commodity when it comes to innovation and if AI can free up time, we have more room to find areas for creativity and experimentation.
  • Questions to ask yourself to further the thought process of how AI interacts in the school system. 

As our tools, resources, and role as a principal evolve, it remains at the highest importance to keep our focus on the core function of schools, ensuring we are always providing quality education and growth opportunities to our students. 


Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

To learn more about Tomorrow’s Principal or the Aspen Insitute, head to aspeninstitute.org/education