A Washington, DC Citywide Initiative

Preparing every DC student to thrive in an age of AI.

We are uniting public charter schools, DC Public Schools, government leaders, policymakers, and business partners around a shared, equity- and human-centered approach to AI in PK–12 education.

We're in a moment.

AI is reshaping education and the workforce faster than any technology shift in memory.

Educators, families, and students are already asking hard questions, and school leaders are looking for direction.

The workforce is being rewired, requiring our young people to build skills AI cannot replicate: judgment, empathy, creativity, leadership, ethics, and the ability to truly connect with another human being.

The future is arriving whether schools are ready or not. The question is whether we shape it or simply react to it.

In DC, we are choosing to shape it together — again.

In 2025, the Capital Math Collective, a $20 million public-private partnership, united every DC public and public charter school around evidence-based math instruction that accelerates student outcomes.

In 2026, the Education Recovery Scorecard, a national research project from Harvard and Stanford, named DC the most improved state in math since the pandemic.

Led by EmpowerK12 and the DC Charter School Alliance, in partnership with DC Public Schools, the AI Collective is the next chapter for applying a proven playbook to the most consequential shift in education today.

Our Bold Goal

AI readiness must help every young person reach a thriving future — anchored to our bold 2030 goal that all Black and Brown students in Washington, DC are at or above national averages in math and reading.

The AI Collective

How We're Leading

Convening and listening with a cross-sector of advisors to shape the pathways for our young people's future.

Lead

Steering Committee

DC leaders from education, government, community, and industry, with three priorities, including: (1) build a citywide picture of AI in DC schools; (2) equip school leaders, and (3) provide systems-level support and guidance.

Learn more
Listen

Strategic Councils

Four cross-sector councils of educators, school leaders, parents, students, government leaders, community members, and industry partners surfacing the big questions and a learning agenda.

Learn more
Advise

Industry Advisory Board

A group of national and regional leaders spanning AI, the future of work, education innovation, workforce mobility, policy, and human-centered technology.

Coming Fall 2026
The AI Collective's Work

From Evidence to Action

Surface the opportunity, promise, and drawbacks of AI in education and position DC as the national leader in leveraging AI for student outcomes.

Learn

Research & Evidence

Generate data-driven evidence of AI's impact in DC classrooms and identify bright spots—with support from leading researchers and partners.

Coming Fall 2026
Leverage

Responsible AI Systems

Develop citywide systems of support, policies, and guardrails for responsible AI use in classrooms.

Coming Fall 2026
Engage

Build Community & Share

Launch experiences that invite the whole city in, including the AI Education Leadership Summit (October 7, 2026), AI Learning Cohorts, collaborations to build new post-secondary pathways, and a Resource Hub.

Coming Fall 2026

Together, we can make sure every DC graduate walks off the stage ready for the world that's waiting.