Yet one announcement alone won’t guarantee fairness, preparedness, or trust. With the administration now responsible for producing a full AI action plan by mid-July, the real effort starts here. The key issue isn’t whether AI will influence the future of education, but how intentionally we equip schools, teachers, and students to drive that future.

I consulted with some of the world’s most respected education experts on this subject — including Andreas Schleicher from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Harvard’s Chris Dede, Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers, and Finnish-Australian thought leader Pasi Sahlberg. Their perspectives form a roadmap the White House must pay attention to.

1. Teacher Training Must Come First

New tools cannot replace professional development. As emphasized by Weingarten, foundational AI literacy should be required before expecting educators to incorporate AI into teaching. This doesn't mean learning to code — it means understanding how these tools function, where they fall short, and when to apply them. Educators also need time, not just technology. Without space to explore and assess, even the best platforms will remain unused.

2. Students Need More Than Devices

One of the longest-standing myths in educational technology is that access equals equity. But mere connectivity doesn’t bridge learning gaps. Students — particularly those in under-resourced or unstable environments — require support to use these tools confidently and critically. Equity in AI means secure platforms, solid supports, and protection from harmful content and algorithmic bias.

3. Hybrid Readiness Is Non-Negotiable

In just the past year, more than 210 million students missed school due to climate-related events, illness, or conflict. As Dede explained, the world is now permanently hybrid. Educational systems that treat in-person instruction as the only legitimate form of learning are setting their students up for failure. The next emergency isn’t theoretical — it’s guaranteed. A national strategy should require every district to have a pre-approved hybrid readiness framework that includes devices, Wi-Fi mapping, teacher training, and student engagement metrics.

4. Educators Must Co-Design, Not Just Comply

Schleicher from the OECD reminded me that AI is “just an amplifier” — it magnifies both effective and ineffective practices. What matters is not the tool itself, but how it's applied. One successful policy shift since 2020 has been involving educators as co-designers of the digital tools they use, rather than passive consumers. Edtech developed with teachers, instead of merely for them, stands a much greater chance of being adopted — and trusted.

5. We Must Protect the Human Layer

Sahlberg’s words continue to resonate: learning didn’t stop during school closures in the pandemic — it simply transformed. Many young people created their own learning experiences using online tools and peer networks. However, that doesn’t mean turning education over to algorithms. The irreplaceable value of human relationships — the bond between teacher and student — must stay at the core, especially as AI becomes part of classroom life.

The Bottom Line

AI can tailor, assist, and expand learning. But it cannot substitute for the values, relationships, and instructional wisdom that define education. Any national strategy must balance innovation with integrity, expanding what works while safeguarding what’s essential.

According to the pledge, companies have committed to offering curriculum materials, professional development, free resources, funding, and secure platform access — all valuable steps. But lasting impact won’t come solely from donations. It will stem from district-level capability, community-based trust, and national leadership that places teachers and students at the center of every decision.

This is a pivotal opportunity: to shape a generation of learners not only familiar with AI, but empowered by it. Let’s ensure the action plan doesn’t simply fulfill a policy requirement — but lays the foundation for a future where every child can succeed.

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