AI Education Leadership Summit
October 7, 2026 | Washington, DC
DC's Inaugural AI Summit for Education Leaders
One day where learning + evidence meet practice.
A practitioner-centered, citywide convening about artificial intelligence designed for DC school leaders at all levels, bringing together national and local researchers and thought leaders.
More than 20 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.
Due to venue capacity, attendance is limited. Please complete this interest form, and we'll be in touch as details are finalized. Additional details will be shared with a member of each LEA leadership team.
A day of learning & conversation for DC school leaders
The Summit is built around evidence, real conversation, and practical next steps. Every leader should leave with three things:
Learn from Evidence & 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 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 DC's 2030 bold goal.
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.
Three tracks shaping the day
Sessions are organized around three questions facing every DC school community.
AI in Practice
What does AI look like in teaching, learning, assessment, differentiation, and student agency?
Preparing Young People for Their Futures
How do we prepare students for careers, civic life, and social mobility in this AI era?
Building Responsible AI
How do schools and communities create safe, equitable, and coherent AI policy and implementation?
More than 20 sessions, in formats built for dialogue
From keynotes to conversations to hands-on exploration, the day is designed for learning at every level of experience.
DC Bright Spots
Leaders and educators will share honest insights from DC schools and organizations about what they are learning as they navigate AI.
We're seeking applications for Bright Spot presentations! Deadline is Wednesday, August 26. Apply now ›
Researcher & Practitioner Panels
Leading researchers and practitioners unpack the evidence and share what they are seeing in classrooms, in organizations, and across the field, including the big questions and where we still need more evidence.
Hands-On Sessions
Working sessions that move beyond awareness into practical skill-building, designed for a wide range of learners, from beginner to early adopter.
AI Lounge
A hands-on demonstration space where presenters showcase tools live and participants try them out in a guided, exploratory setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
The Summit is a day of dialogue, evidence, and learning about what AI means for our students, educators, and school communities. School leaders will leave with three things: research-grounded insight into what AI in education looks like in DC classrooms today, new relationships across sectors, and at least one concrete next step to take in their own school or system.
The Summit is an in-person event, hosted in Washington, DC at the Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
No. The Summit is free for all invited guests.
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.
Please complete our interest form. As details are finalized, we will be in touch.
Yes. We will make slide decks and other materials available after October 7.
Please complete our contact form and a member of our team will get back to you soon.
Please complete the EmpowerK12 contact form with any media or press inquiries. A member of our team will get back to you soon.