From the CIO's Desk: Is AI the Wave of the Future in Education?

I’ve been watching the rapid rise of AI in education with both excitement and a healthy dose of curiosity. As the CIO of a tech-focused micro-school, I ask myself every day: Is AI truly the wave of the future in our classrooms—and if so, how can we harness it responsibly to give our students a lasting advantage?

Why AI Matters for Personalized Learning

In spring 2025, EdTech Magazine reported that 76 percent of educators who tried generative AI tools saw real value in differentiated instruction—and those same teachers noted a 42 percent reduction in routine tasks like quiz grading and lesson-plan drafting EdTech MagazineEdTech Magazine.

I’ve seen firsthand how adaptive platforms can pinpoint exactly where a learner struggles—automatically recommending extra practice or enrichment. In a micro-school environment like ours, that level of individualized feedback is a game-changer. We can iterate quickly, tweak prompts, and respond directly to each student’s needs without waiting on a district-wide rollout.

AI as an Educator’s Ally, Not a Replacement

One of the loudest myths I encounter is that AI will replace teachers. In reality, tools built on large-language models (LLMs) are freeing up precious teacher time. Kira Learning, for example, uses “AI agents” to handle grading and performance analysis, so educators can devote more energy to mentorship and creativity EdTech Magazine.

Last month’s EdTech Magazine issue called this shift “the age of AI,” spotlighting schools that are already reducing burnout by automating administrative workflows EdTech Magazine. At Bayside Academy, I see the coaches teachers using similar tools to rapidly generate formative-assessment questions, leaving them freer to coach, question, and inspire.

Ethical Guardrails & Equity Considerations

We can’t talk about AI without acknowledging the challenges. A recent CoSN report highlighted concerns around data bias, student privacy, and the need for clear policies before full-scale deployment EdTech Magazine. My team and I are developing a digital-citizenship framework—covering everything from responsible prompt-writing to data-privacy best practices—so our students grow up not just using AI, but understanding it. And while some districts struggle with unreliable internet or device shortages, micro-schools can pilot solutions in just one classroom, measure the impact, and share lessons learned with a broader community.

Voices That Inspire: Rose Luckin’s TEDx Talk

If you’re looking for a powerful, ten-minute primer on AI’s classroom potential, I highly recommend Rose Luckin’s TEDx talk, “AI Systems for Teachers & Learners in School.” She walks through real examples of AI-driven dialogue tools that help students articulate their thinking, while giving teachers instant insights into misconceptions EdTech Magazine. Embedding this talk in a staff meeting or sharing it with parents has sparked some of our most productive conversations about where we draw the line between human judgment and machine assistance.

What’s Next for Micro-Schools?

1. Rapid Pilot Cycles: We’re rolling out small-scale AI experiments—one classroom at a time—so we can move faster than large districts and adapt before the next school year.

2. Student Co-Design: Our oldest learners will soon help build simple chatbots that tutor their peers on math facts or spelling rules. This isn’t just about using AI; it’s about understanding how it works.

3. AI Literacy as Core Curriculum: Prompt engineering, data ethics, and model evaluation will be integrated into project-based units. We want graduates who can think critically about AI systems, not just consume them.

Join Us on the Journey

AI isn’t a gimmick or a future fantasy—it’s already transforming how we teach and learn. At Bayside Academy, we’re committed to leading responsibly: piloting innovative tools, building ethical guardrails, and ensuring every student gains the skills they need for an AI-powered world.

Have thoughts on AI in education? Drop a comment below, or reach out to me directly to explore collaboration or pilot opportunities. Let’s shape the future of learning—together.

Kent Young

Chief Information Officer, Bayside Academy