AI Conversations: Lakefield College School’s Summer AI Institute on The Skills That Matter

 

Over the past several months, we’ve shared our thinking on many aspects of AI at LCS, from the adoption of Flint, to the development of our Two-Lane Approach to assessment, to the thinkers and researchers who continue to guide our decisions. Here, we’re shifting focus to something we’re particularly proud of: the role LCS is playing as a leader in AI conversations across the independent school community.

 

Later this month, we will welcome educators from across the country to LCS for the second annual Summer AI Institute. What started last year as a small gathering has grown into a national event, with over 90 participants representing more than 20 independent schools. Teachers and school leaders gather to share insights about AI’s impact on learning and assessment. They experiment with new methods for integrating these tools into classroom practice and school policy, and in doing so, they contribute to a broader conversation about the future of AI in education.

 

Last year, we took a leap in launching this conference. We were confident in our approach to AI, but we also understood that meaningful progress couldn’t happen in isolation. So we opened our doors, shared our thinking transparently and invited colleagues to do the same. Our goal was to create a space where school leaders could learn from one another and grow together. Independent schools are uniquely positioned to act quickly and experiment thoughtfully, and many are already leading inspiring work. This conference brings that work into focus and offers a platform to exchange ideas and deepen our collective understanding of AI in education.

 

We’re thrilled to welcome Eric Hudson back to Lakefield as this year’s facilitator. His keynote, “The AI Skills That Matter,” will ground our time together in four essential capacities: extending the mind, information literacy, playfulness, and ethical decision-making. These are the human strengths that will help students thrive, not just with AI, but in any future they encounter.

 

Participants will take part in design challenges, working in job-alike groups to create AI-integrated strategies for their schools. Classroom educators will explore meaningful assessment design and responsible AI use. School leaders will develop implementation plans and consider the policy and organizational shifts needed to support change. Everyone will have the chance to get hands-on with emerging tools in our AI Playground, and to build something new with the help of peers and mentors.

 

One of the most energizing parts of the Institute is our series of Micro-Talks. These short, informal sessions highlight the creative, often experimental work happening across schools. Teachers will share the ways they’re using AI to deepen learning and solve real problems. Administrators will offer glimpses into policy development and professional learning models. This is a low-stakes invitation to teachers and administrators to share work in progress and to learn from others who are also building and refining.

 

And while the topics may be technical, the spirit of the gathering is anything but. Last year’s participants walked the trails between sessions, shared drinks at the farm, and left with a renewed sense of purpose. This year promises more of the same: a thoughtful, human-centered conversation about AI, set in an environment designed to spark curiosity and connection.

 

The Summer AI Institute is a conference about emerging technology, yet one grounded in our belief that learning is fundamentally relational. As we explore how AI might shape the future of education, we are also celebrating the collaboration, trust, and shared imagination that make great teaching possible in the first place.

 

We look forward to sharing updates with you after the Institute.