Written by Dan Fitzpatrick, director at Thirdbox Ltd., author of The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education and keynote for CLS 2024
Artificial intelligence is already in our schools.
Working with districts across the world, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this technology is supporting learning, saving teachers precious time and innovating educational systems. Amidst this whirlwind of change, the need for strong and visionary leadership remains constant.
AI scientist Amit Ray puts it succinctly: “As more and more artificial intelligence is entering into the world, more and more emotional intelligence must enter into leadership.” This insight perfectly captures the unique challenge facing today’s education leaders.
They must possess the human skills to guide their communities through this transformation.
The education leaders who will thrive in the age of AI embody a unique set of virtues that enable them to navigate uncharted waters and inspire their communities. Here are the ALICE Virtues. They are the five key virtues I’ve observed in successful education leaders driving change with AI:
1. Adaptative
If there’s one constant in the world of AI, it’s change.
The leaders who excel are those who embrace adaptability as a core virtue. They’re constantly updating their knowledge, experimenting with new teaching strategies and pivoting when necessary. These agile thinkers understand that yesterday’s solutions may not solve tomorrow’s problems.
They create cultures where calculated risk-taking and learning from failure are celebrated.
2. Learners
The best AI-era education leaders embody the very essence of lifelong learning.
They’re voracious consumers of the latest research, active participants in conferences and eager adopters of new technologies. Their learning goes beyond technical knowledge. These leaders are constantly honing their emotional intelligence, refining their communication skills and deepening their understanding of diverse student needs.
They model the growth mindset they hope to instill in their students and staff.
3. Inclusive
The AI revolution brings immense potential and the risk of widening existing divides.
Visionary leaders are tackling this head-on. They are working tirelessly to provide equitable access to AI tools and training. By fostering interdisciplinary learning and reaching out to underrepresented groups, these leaders are ensuring that the benefits of AI in education reach all students.
4. Collaborative
Gone are the days of siloed decision-making.
The most effective leaders are masters of collaboration. They’re forging partnerships with edtech companies. They’re creating networks across institutions to share data, insights and best practices. Most importantly, they’re assembling diverse teams that bring together educators, technologists and students to ensure AI solutions are both powerful and responsible.
5. Ethical
With great power comes great responsibility.
The most impressive leaders I’ve encountered are those who place ethics at the forefront. They understand that building trust with students, parents and communities is essential.
They’re not just focused on what AI can do, but on what it should do to benefit all learners.
The AI revolution in education is not just about implementing new technologies. It’s really about reimagining the future of education. The leaders who will guide us through this transformation are those who can balance innovation with empathy, technological skills with ethical consideration and decisive action with a collaborative spirit.
The future belongs to those leaders who can cultivate the five ALICE virtues. They’re the ones who will ensure that AI doesn’t just change education, but truly enhances it, creating a more personalized, accessible and effective learning experience for all.
The challenges are immense. So are the opportunities.
Are you a superintendent, assistant or associate superintendent, executive director or member of CHESCS, NNAC, CAAC and state Catholic Conferences? Come see Dan Fitzpatrick at NCEA Catholic Leadership Summit (CLS) in Seattle, October 13 – 16, 2024.
