October 7, 2026 · Washington, DC

AI Education Leadership Summit

One day where learning and evidence meet practice.

A practitioner-centered, citywide convening about artificial intelligence, designed for DC school leaders at every level and bringing together national and local researchers and thought leaders.

Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet UniversityFree for invited guests2 plenaries and 22 breakout sessions
Not invited yet? Email us

Attendance is by invitation and limited by venue capacity. Invited guests receive registration details by email.

Date
Wednesday, October 7, 2026Check-in 7:30 AM · Program ends 4:45 PM
Venue
Kellogg Conference HotelGallaudet University, 800 Florida Avenue NE
Who
DC school leadersTeacher leaders to LEA executives across all 66 LEAs, by invitation
Program
Keynote, panels, hands-on labs2 plenaries and 22 breakout sessions across three tracks, plus the AI Lounge
DC's inaugural AI summit for education leaders

A day of learning and conversation for DC school leaders

2 plenaries and 22 breakout sessions for leaders at every level, from teacher leaders to LEA executives, across all 66 DC LEAs. One day of dialogue and learning about what AI means for our students, educators, and school communities.

Hosted by the Capital AI Education Collective, led by EmpowerK12 and the DC Charter School Alliance, in partnership with DC Public Schools.

Every leader leaves with three things
  • LEARN

    Learn from evidence and peers

    Leave with concrete, research-grounded insight into what AI in education looks like in DC classrooms today, including what is working, what is not, and what questions remain unanswered.

  • CONNECT

    Connect across sectors

    Build new relationships across all public schools, city government, and nonprofit and industry partners, strengthening the community our city needs to move together toward bold goals for priority student groups.

  • ACT

    Act with a clear next step

    Walk away with at least one concrete school- or system-level action for SY2026–27: an AI policy stance, a tool or workflow to pilot, a partnership to pursue, or a commitment to share with your community.

Keynote speaker
Opening keynote

Talitha Washington, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics; Sean McCleese Endowed Chair; Professor of Mathematics; Co-Chair, President's AI Advisory Council, Howard University

Talitha Washington, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics (CADSA), the Sean McCleese Endowed Chair, and Professor of Mathematics at Howard University. She also serves as Co-Chair of the President's AI Advisory Council, which guides the University's AI strategy across research, academic, and enterprise initiatives.

Her work spans applied mathematics, data science, artificial intelligence, and STEM education, with a focus on expanding opportunity and strengthening the impact of research and education. Before returning to Howard, she served as the inaugural director of the Atlanta University Center Data Science Initiative and as a program director at the National Science Foundation, where she led the National Data Science Alliance and helped launch NSF's first Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program.

Dr. Washington is a past president of the Association for Women in Mathematics and a fellow of the American Mathematical Society, the Association for Women in Mathematics, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She earned her bachelor's degree in mathematics from Spelman College and her master's and doctoral degrees in mathematics from the University of Connecticut.

LinkedIn profile · Howard University profile

The talk
AI Is Here. What Should Education Become?

AI is changing how people learn, work, and experience the world. How can DC shape this educational moment with purpose and prepare students to thrive in the age of AI? Dr. Washington explores what education should make possible now, what we should preserve about learning, and how students, educators, families, and communities can help shape what comes next. She also joins the plenary panel, Leading in the AI Era.

Summit tracks

Three tracks shaping the day

Sessions are organized around three questions facing every DC school community. Choose the track that fits your role, or move between them.

Track 1

AI in Practice

What does AI look like in teaching, learning, assessment, differentiation, and student agency?

Best fit: Teacher leaders, instructional leaders, school leaders, curriculum leaders
Track 2

Preparing Young People for Their Futures

How do we prepare students for careers, civic life, and social mobility in this AI era?

Best fit: District leaders, CTE and workforce leaders, nonprofits, CEOs, funders
Track 3

Building Responsible AI

How do schools and communities create safe, equitable, and coherent AI policy and implementation?

Best fit: Superintendents, LEA leaders, policy leaders, nonprofit CEOs, funders
Agenda · Wednesday, October 7

Run of Show

Tap any session to see speakers and details. Times and rooms may shift slightly as the program is finalized.

7:00 – 8:30 AM

Registration, Breakfast, Pre-Session, and AI Lounge Opens

Responsible AIPre-session (pre-registration required, 20 seats)7:30 – 8:10 AMAuditorium

AI 101: A Foundation for the Day

Perry Shank, Ph.D., Chief Learning Officer, CodeVA
SpeakersPerry Shank, Ph.D., Chief Learning Officer, CodeVA
About this sessionNew to AI, or want a refresher before diving into the Summit? In this pre-session, Dr. Perry Shank provides an accessible foundation for thinking about AI in education. Participants consider what AI makes possible, what can go wrong when efficiency becomes the primary goal, and why strong practice depends on intention, knowledge, reflection, and experience. Through practical examples, Dr. Shank shows how weak uses of AI can be reframed to strengthen learning, teacher autonomy, and student agency. The session also considers our responsibility to ensure that every learner has the opportunity to understand, question, and thoughtfully engage with technologies that are increasingly shaping their world.
8:30 – 10:45 AMBallroom

Morning Plenary

PlenaryWelcome

Meeting the Moment as Leaders in This AI Era

Pat Brantley, CEO, Friendship Public Charter Schools; Josh Boots, Executive Director, EmpowerK12; Antoinette Mitchell, Ph.D., State Superintendent of Education, OSSE
SpeakersPat Brantley, CEO, Friendship Public Charter Schools; Josh Boots, Executive Director, EmpowerK12; Antoinette Mitchell, Ph.D., State Superintendent of Education, OSSE
PlenaryKeynote

AI Is Here. What Should Education Become?

Talitha Washington, Ph.D., Executive Director, Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics, and Co-Chair, President's AI Advisory Council, Howard University
SpeakersTalitha Washington, Ph.D., Executive Director, Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics, and Co-Chair, President's AI Advisory Council, Howard University
About this sessionAI is changing how people learn, work, and experience the world. How can DC shape this educational moment with purpose and prepare students to thrive in the age of AI? Dr. Washington explores what education should make possible now, what we should preserve about learning, and how students, educators, families, and communities can help shape what comes next.
PlenaryPlenary Panel

Leading in the AI Era

Pat Brantley, Friendship Public Charter Schools; Kim Smith, Digital Promise; Talitha Washington, Ph.D., Howard University
SpeakersPat Brantley, Friendship Public Charter Schools; Kim Smith, Digital Promise; Talitha Washington, Ph.D., Howard University
ModeratorJosephine Bias Robinson
About this sessionWith the rise of AI in our schools, workplaces, and society, leaders are called to provide clarity and direction even as they continue to learn, question, and adapt. In this plenary panel, leaders from a DC charter network, a national nonprofit organization, and a research university share how they navigate uncertainty, take thoughtful risks, make decisions with evolving evidence, and stay grounded in what matters most. Join us for a candid conversation about the courage, vision, and human-centered leadership this moment requires.
PlenaryInteractive

The AI Effect Game and Table Discussion

Marisol Jimenez and Odist Powell, Facilitators, The Rithm Project
SpeakersMarisol Jimenez and Odist Powell, Facilitators, The Rithm Project
About this sessionWhat happens when AI shows up in our most personal moments? When it remembers your best friend's birthday, or writes your apology text after a fight? Facilitated by The Rithm Project, The AI Effect is a card game that invites you to wrestle with that very question. Through a mix of real-life scenarios, provocations, and playful debate, you will weigh when AI supports healthy human connection and when it erodes it. Whether you are a teacher, teen, technologist, or just curious, this is the game that makes the future feel personal.
11:05 AM – 12:05 PM

Breakout Round 1

Concurrent sessions. Choose one.

AI in PracticeDC Bright SpotsAuditorium

AI for Access, Agency, and Leadership Capacity

Adam Browning, Denonté McKinney, Nicole Latimer, and Donald Alexander, Washington Leadership Academy; Kimberly Kelley, Goodwill Excel Center; Simon Rodberg, Lee Montessori Public Charter Schools; Shawn Hardnett, Statesmen College Preparatory Academy for Boys
SpeakersAdam Browning, Denonté McKinney, Nicole Latimer, and Donald Alexander, Washington Leadership Academy; Kimberly Kelley, Goodwill Excel Center; Simon Rodberg, Lee Montessori Public Charter Schools; Shawn Hardnett, Statesmen College Preparatory Academy for Boys
About this sessionThree DC LEAs share what they are learning from real AI use in their buildings. Washington Leadership Academy describes its human-first approach to designing AI for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. A Goodwill Excel Center teacher shares how AI became an accessibility tool for a dyslexic educator. Lee Montessori PCS shows how a small network leader uses AI to add analytic and policy capacity for $20 a month. Leave with practices you can adapt in your own school or LEA this year.
AI in PracticeHands-on SessionRoom 6A

Building Custom AI Tools for Your School or District

Hilah Barbot and Kim Beck, Playlab AI, with leaders from Kingsman Academy
SpeakersHilah Barbot and Kim Beck, Playlab AI, with leaders from Kingsman Academy
About this sessionWhat if the AI tools your teachers use were designed around your curriculum, your students, and your school's values? Hear from leaders at Kingsman Academy who built a custom lesson-planning app on Playlab, followed by case studies from other schools. Then build your own no-code AI app designed for your context. Bring a laptop and a real challenge you want to tackle.
AI in PracticeHands-on SessionRoom 6C

Go Beyond Chatbots and Learn to Vibe Code

Alex Kotran, CEO, aiEDU
SpeakersAlex Kotran, CEO, aiEDU
About this sessionJoin aiEDU CEO Alex Kotran as he takes participants headfirst into vibe coding, using AI agents to write software, to create automations, workflows, applications, and websites relevant to school leaders. The goal: go beyond chatbots and help leaders use AI to write software code, unlocking a wide new world of possibilities for your own operational effectiveness and your organization's impact. The session includes a short primer on vibe coding and general tips for developing your AI skills.
Preparing Young PeoplePanelBallroom A

The New Entry-Level: How AI Is Reshaping Early Career Pathways

Andrew R. Hanson, Strada Education Foundation; Lauren Yayboke, McKinsey & Company
SpeakersAndrew R. Hanson, Strada Education Foundation; Lauren Yayboke, McKinsey & Company
ModeratorErin Bibo, Ed.D., Hire Local DC and CityWorks DC
About this sessionThe bottom rung of the career ladder is the part AI reaches first. McKinsey's Lauren Yayboke shares which DC jobs and DC workers face the biggest shifts, and Strada's Andrew Hanson shares what nearly 1,500 employers say AI is doing to entry-level hiring right now. Moderated by Erin Bibo of Hire Local DC, with time for your questions.
Responsible AIResearch PresentationRoom 6B

Preparing for AI's Opportunity and Risks: System-Level Data, Insights, and Recommendations for DC's LEA and SEA Leaders

Aaron Cuny and Kenli Okada, AI for Equity
SpeakersAaron Cuny and Kenli Okada, AI for Equity
About this sessionThe AI Innovation Index now offers the nation's most robust and coherent pairing of AI innovation vision and measurement infrastructure. Join former DC education sector leaders Aaron Cuny and Kenli Okada to review fresh data and insights from the nation's most innovative LEAs, regional quarterbacks, and SEAs. You will also have the opportunity to self-assess your own technical AI literacy and your institution's AI leadership progress, with access to benchmarks that show how you compare with peers nationally.
Responsible AIPresentationBallroom D

AI Policy Essentials: A Practical Framework for Safe, Equitable Implementation

Harshvardhan Upadhyaya, InnovateEDU and the EDSAFE AI Alliance
SpeakersHarshvardhan Upadhyaya, InnovateEDU and the EDSAFE AI Alliance
About this sessionAI policy is at the top of many LEA leaders' lists, but with the pace of technological change, getting started or keeping current policies updated is a real challenge. This session walks participants through the EDSAFE AI Policy Essentials framework, a practical guide grounded in the SAFE Benchmarks (Safety, Accountability, Fairness, Efficacy). Leaders leave with concrete tools to draft, refine, and operationalize AI policy that protects students while enabling meaningful classroom innovation.
Responsible AIPanelBallroom B/C

Supporting Leaders in the AI Era: Lessons from New Orleans, Utah, and Texas

Jason Green, Educate Texas; Matt Winters, EDSAFE AI Alliance (formerly Utah State Board of Education); Davis Zaunbrecher, New Orleans AI Education Fund
SpeakersJason Green, Educate Texas; Matt Winters, EDSAFE AI Alliance (formerly Utah State Board of Education); Davis Zaunbrecher, New Orleans AI Education Fund
ModeratorJill Nyhus, Sage Pathways
About this sessionNew Orleans, Utah, and Texas each set out to help leaders through the AI transition, and each built something different: a five-year philanthropic fund with a stated sunset, a statewide framework backed by a training corps and shared procurement, and a statewide intermediary equipping senior district leaders to drive AI systems change through regional collaboratives, coaching, and a shared resource hub. Three leaders share what they built, what has been harder than expected, and what they would tell DC now.
AI LoungeOpen all dayHangout, 2nd Floor

AI Lounge: Robots, Wearables, AI Inspiration, and Speaker Office Hours

About this sessionA hands-on demonstration space where presenters showcase tools live and participants try them out in a guided, exploratory setting.
12:10 – 1:00 PMBallroom

Lunch

1:00 – 1:50 PMBallroom

Afternoon Plenary

PlenaryPanel1:00 PM

Staying Human: A GenZ Conversation on AI and Connection

Odist Powell, Arielle Geismar, and Marisol Jimenez, The Rithm Project
SpeakersOdist Powell, Arielle Geismar, and Marisol Jimenez, The Rithm Project
ModeratorJulia Freeland Fisher
PlenaryRemarks1:40 PM

Introducing the AI Collective Student Council: The Voice of DC Young People

Joshua Kiprono, AI Collective Student Council
SpeakersJoshua Kiprono, AI Collective Student Council
About this sessionIn September 2026, members of the Youth Strategic Council, young people ages 16 to 26 from high school through college and other postsecondary paths in DC, met to talk about how AI shows up in their everyday lives, learn how young people across the country are shaping AI policy, and answer one central question: What should DC do about AI? Hear from Joshua Kiprono, a student at the University of the District of Columbia, as he shares what the Council came up with, including big projects worth taking on, small steps that could make a difference now, and the ways AI already shows up in their lives that they wish it did not.
2:05 – 3:05 PM

Breakout Round 2

Concurrent sessions. Choose one.

AI in PracticeDC Bright SpotsAuditorium

Using AI to Amplify Curriculum, Tutoring, and Teacher Practice

Michael Stevens, Friendship Public Charter Schools; Berenice Pernalete and Jennifer Kouakeu, Instituto Mundo Verde; CitySchools Collaborative speaker to be announced
SpeakersMichael Stevens, Friendship Public Charter Schools; Berenice Pernalete and Jennifer Kouakeu, Instituto Mundo Verde; CitySchools Collaborative speaker to be announced
About this sessionThree DC school and organization leaders show how AI can amplify strong curriculum, tutoring, and professional learning rather than replace them. Friendship PCS uses AI to add teacher guidance and student scaffolds around existing DBQ materials. CitySchools Collaborative shares early results from Sophia, an AI coach for math tutors piloted at Meridian PCS. Instituto Mundo Verde presents IMV Coach, a bilingual AI simulator where educators rehearse teaching moves. Each brings early outcome data and lessons learned.
AI in PracticeHands-on SessionRoom 6C

Vibe Coding + UDL: Rapidly Building More Inclusive Learning Tools

Alex Kotran, CEO, aiEDU; Lindsay Jones, CEO, CAST
SpeakersAlex Kotran, CEO, aiEDU; Lindsay Jones, CEO, CAST
About this sessionIn this live, hands-on session, participants explore how rapid, AI-assisted development (vibe coding) can be aligned with accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) from the ground up. Hosted jointly by CAST and aiEDU, this collaborative workshop offers educators an opportunity to pioneer inclusive AI tools together.
AI in PracticeHands-on SessionRoom 6B

ChatGPT for Teachers: Getting Started for LEAs

Danieta Moore, US K-12 Lead, OpenAI, with school partners
SpeakersDanieta Moore, US K-12 Lead, OpenAI, with school partners
About this sessionJoin OpenAI's K-12 team and school partners as they walk DC LEA leaders through ChatGPT for Teachers, the no-cost, school-managed workspace now available to school staff. See what district verification, data ownership, retention settings, and FERPA-aligned oversight look like in practice, what the cohort rollout and training model includes, and how schools move teachers off personal accounts into a secure shared environment.
AI in PracticePresentation and Hands-on SessionBallroom A

AI Built with Intention: Extending Effective Teaching to Raise Reading Achievement

Dacia Toll, Co-CEO, Coursemojo
SpeakersDacia Toll, Co-CEO, Coursemojo
About this sessionJoin Dacia Toll, Co-CEO of Coursemojo and a self-described edtech skeptic, as she shares how purpose-built AI, anchored in high-quality instructional materials, can enhance effective teaching and support diverse learners. Dacia shares edtech design principles based on cognitive science, implementation lessons learned, results from independent efficacy studies, and a hands-on experience with the tools.
Responsible AIInteractive SessionBallroom D

OSSE's LEA AI Model Policy: Understanding the Stoplight Framework

Kelley Scholl, Assistant Superintendent, OSSE; Celina Ketelsen, Interim Assistant Superintendent, Division of Teaching and Learning, OSSE
SpeakersKelley Scholl, Assistant Superintendent, OSSE; Celina Ketelsen, Interim Assistant Superintendent, Division of Teaching and Learning, OSSE
About this sessionThis session introduces participants to the development of OSSE's LEA AI Model Policy for Staff Use. Participants learn how the need for guidance on emerging AI technologies led to a practical, easy-to-use decision-making structure: the Stoplight Framework. Participants take an in-depth look at the framework, exploring which types of AI use fall into the red, yellow, and green categories and why. Through an interactive gallery walk and group discussion, participants engage with the framework and consider how their LEA or organization might apply or refine it. The session provides space for reflection, shared decision-making, and conversation about setting appropriate boundaries and supporting LEA staff in using AI responsibly and confidently.
Responsible AIResearch PanelBallroom B/C

What Early Adopters Are Learning About AI Implementation

Bree Dusseault, Center on Reinventing Public Education; Eric Collazo and Adam Browning, Washington Leadership Academy and DC AI Collaborative; Pat Yongpradit, Microsoft
SpeakersBree Dusseault, Center on Reinventing Public Education; Eric Collazo and Adam Browning, Washington Leadership Academy and DC AI Collaborative; Pat Yongpradit, Microsoft
ModeratorSung-Ae Yang, Sage Pathways
About this sessionNearly four years into generative AI, early adopters are past the novelty and into the hard part: strategy, change management, and evidence. This session pairs national research with on-the-ground experience. CRPE's Bree Dusseault shares what 45 early adopter districts are doing and how they are using AI to improve learning. Washington Leadership Academy's Eric Collazo and Adam Browning describe what it has taken to build AI into a DC school since the week ChatGPT launched. Microsoft's Pat Yongpradit offers a leadership roadmap grounded in what is happening across the country and around the globe. Join us for short spark talks, then a candid panel on what is working, what is not, and what DC leaders can do next.
Responsible AIHands-on SessionRoom 6A

Bringing AI Agency to Your Students

Hilah Barbot and Kim Beck, Playlab AI
SpeakersHilah Barbot and Kim Beck, Playlab AI
About this sessionWhat happens when students build AI instead of just using it? Explore apps created by Fairfax County Public Schools students, build your own student-style app on Playlab, and leave with free curriculum to bring this to your students, plus an option for them to submit to the Presidential AI Challenge.
AI LoungeOpen all dayHangout, 2nd Floor

AI Lounge: Robots, Wearables, AI Inspiration, and Speaker Office Hours

Session description coming soon.
3:20 – 4:20 PM

Breakout Round 3

Concurrent sessions. Choose one.

AI in PracticePartner Bright SpotsRoom 6A

DC Partner Bright Spots: MagicSchool and Stemuli

Sarah Marr, Regional Vice President, MagicSchool AI; Taylor Shead, Founder and CEO, Stemuli; Noah Dougherty, Director of School Talent and Academic Strategy, DC Charter School Alliance
SpeakersSarah Marr, Regional Vice President, MagicSchool AI; Taylor Shead, Founder and CEO, Stemuli; Noah Dougherty, Director of School Talent and Academic Strategy, DC Charter School Alliance
About this sessionHear from and engage with DC educators and their partners on how they are leveraging AI to support teachers and students. MagicSchool gives DC charter teachers the tools to differentiate instruction at scale: scaffolding assignments, generating targeted feedback, and supporting diverse learners without rebuilding every lesson from scratch. Stemuli, a partner with Friendship Public Charter Schools, immerses middle and high school students in multiplayer simulation games to teach AI literacy, math proficiency, and workforce readiness.
AI in PracticeHands-on SessionRoom 6B

Deep Dive on Google Gemini

Clay Smith, K-12 Solutions Engineer, Google for Education
SpeakersClay Smith, K-12 Solutions Engineer, Google for Education
About this sessionIn an era of increasing operational demands and budgetary pressures, K-12 leaders are constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. This session explores how Google's Gemini can be a powerful partner, from automating tasks and analyzing data to streamlining communication and optimizing resources.
Preparing Young PeoplePresentationBallroom A

Durable Skills and Digital Fluency: Must-Haves for Career Pathways Beyond High School

Kim Smith, Chief Innovation Officer, Digital Promise; Vivian Robledo, Executive Director, The Next Step Public Charter School
SpeakersKim Smith, Chief Innovation Officer, Digital Promise; Vivian Robledo, Executive Director, The Next Step Public Charter School
ModeratorShereen Williams, EmpowerK12
About this sessionWhether your learners are 18 or 48, AI is reshaping the work they are preparing for faster than our programs are changing. Most of us are still working out what to do about that. Join Kim Smith of Digital Promise to hear what her team is learning about the two things becoming non-negotiable: durable skills and digital fluency.
Preparing Young PeopleHands-on SessionBallroom D

Building the Pathway: Preparing Students for Data Science and AI Careers

Perry Shank, Ph.D., Chief Learning Officer, CodeVA
SpeakersPerry Shank, Ph.D., Chief Learning Officer, CodeVA
About this sessionWhat does it actually take to prepare high schoolers for AI and data-driven careers? Dr. Perry Shank introduces Data Science Pathways, a coherent progression that begins with K-8 learning grounded in computer science and mathematics standards. Participants experience sample activities that move from accessible, unplugged explorations to programming, data analysis, and computational modeling, then follow the pathway into high school through Data Science Foundations and Data Science + AI. Participants leave with a concrete picture of how schools can connect existing standards with meaningful data science and AI learning across grade levels.
Responsible AIHands-on SessionRoom 6C

Responsible AI in Practice: Building Student Thinking, Not Replacing It

Courtney Hodge, Microsoft Elevate
SpeakersCourtney Hodge, Microsoft Elevate
About this sessionIn this hands-on session, Courtney Hodge of Microsoft Elevate walks school leaders through the habits and guardrails of responsible AI use, then puts them to work designing prompts and activities that build student thinking rather than replace it. Bring a laptop and whatever generative AI tool you use. Leave with something you can share with your teachers tomorrow, plus an optional digital credential.
Responsible AIPanelBallroom B/C

Beyond the Newsletter: Authentic Parent Engagement in the AI Era

Maya Martin Cadogan, PAVE; Tafshier Cosby, National Parents Union
SpeakersMaya Martin Cadogan, PAVE; Tafshier Cosby, National Parents Union
ModeratorFonda Sutton, Lenoir Advisory Group
About this sessionJoin Tafshier Cosby, Senior Director of Organizing and Partnerships at the National Parents Union, and Maya Martin Cadogan, Founder and Executive Director of PAVE, as they make the case that families cannot be an afterthought in AI decisions. Moderated by Fonda Sutton, this session shares national parent polling, a framework for family AI advocacy, lessons from districts that got it right, and a practical test for your own family engagement.
Responsible AIResearch PanelAuditorium

AI for Every Learner: Neurodivergence, Disability, and Equitable Design

Lindsay Jones, CAST; Sehrish Shikarpurya, Ph.D., University of Maryland
SpeakersLindsay Jones, CAST; Sehrish Shikarpurya, Ph.D., University of Maryland
ModeratorJosephine Bias Robinson
About this sessionAs schools adopt AI, students with disabilities and neurodivergent learners are too often designed for last. Lindsay Jones, CEO of CAST, shares how Universal Design for Learning, an evidence-based framework for teaching and learning, can inform how AI reduces barriers and elevates strengths for every learner. Dr. Sehrish Shikarpurya, Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Maryland, shares how her emerging research on AI is supporting neurodivergent learners and what this means for educators, school leaders, researchers, and community members.
AI LoungeOpen all dayHangout, 2nd Floor

AI Lounge: Robots, Wearables, AI Inspiration, and Speaker Office Hours

Session description coming soon.
4:30 – 5:30 PM

Closing Remarks and Reception

Reception follows at 4:45 PM.

PlenaryClosing4:30 PMAuditorium

Closing Remarks

Pat Brantley, CEO, Friendship Public Charter Schools; Paul Kihn, Deputy Mayor for Education, District of Columbia
SpeakersPat Brantley, CEO, Friendship Public Charter Schools; Paul Kihn, Deputy Mayor for Education, District of Columbia

Questions about the program?

Invited guests receive registration details by email. Hands-on sessions have limited seats.

Email us
Breakout sessions

Session leaders

Researchers, practitioners, and partners leading the day's breakout rounds. Additional speakers are added as sessions are confirmed.

Getting there

Venue and travel

Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University

800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002

Metro
NoMa–Gallaudet U station on the Red Line is about a 10 minute walk to campus.
Check-in
Doors open at 7:30 AM with breakfast. The optional AI 101 pre-session starts at 7:45 AM.
Bring
A laptop or tablet for hands-on sessions.
Open in Google Maps
Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What is the Capital AI Education Collective?

The Capital AI Education Collective is a Washington, DC citywide initiative 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. It is led by EmpowerK12 and the DC Charter School Alliance, in partnership with DC Public Schools.

Who is organizing and hosting the Summit?

The Summit is hosted by the Capital AI Education Collective, led by EmpowerK12 and the DC Charter School Alliance, in partnership with DC Public Schools.

When and where is the Summit?

The Summit is an in-person event on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002. Check-in opens at 7:30 AM and the program ends at 4:45 PM.

Is there a cost to attend?

No. The Summit is free for all invited guests.

Who attends, and how were they selected?

The Summit is designed for DC school leaders at all levels, from teacher leaders to LEA executives, across all 66 DC LEAs. Because space is limited, this is an invitation-only event, with invitations extended to leaders across the city's public schools.

I would like to attend but have not received an invitation. What should I do?

Email us at aicollective@empowerk12.org with your name, role, and LEA. As details are finalized, we will be in touch.

How do I choose my breakout sessions?

Registered guests select sessions in the Whova event app. Hands-on sessions have limited seats and a bring-your-own-device format, so register early.

Will materials or takeaways be shared afterward?

Yes. Slide decks and other materials will be available to DCPS and DC public charter school leaders after October 7 through EK12 Labs. Registered guests receive access details by email.

Who can I contact with questions?

Email aicollective@empowerk12.org and a member of our team will get back to you soon. For media or press inquiries, please use the EmpowerK12 contact form.

Sponsors and supporters

Made possible by

The Summit is presented by EmpowerK12 with the support of partners across the city.