Updated 2/17/26
AI in the Classroom: Ethical Frontiers and Practical Implications
Wisconsin State Education Convention | January 21, 2026 | Milwaukee, WI
On January 21st, over 200 school administrators, principals, and educators from across Wisconsin gathered at the 2026 Wisconsin State Education Convention for the breakout session “AI in the Classroom: Ethical Frontiers and Practical Implications.” The one-hour session provided timely guidance on how school leaders can responsibly navigate the growing role of artificial intelligence in K–12 education.
This panel was developed as a direct result of participant feedback—which emphasized a strong interest in further guidance on AI in education—from a summer 2025 educator workshop organized by multiple area studies centers at UW-Madison. That workshop, “AI and Society: Community Impacts and New Directions” featured a comprehensive exploration of AI and its wide-reaching impact across various sectors, with a focus on how these advancements intersect with education, ethics, and community well-being.
Supporting Leadership in a Rapidly Changing Landscape
As generative AI tools become increasingly integrated into classrooms and school operations, the session focused on practical decision-making for district and school leaders. Participants explored key ethical considerations—including student data privacy, algorithmic bias, equity, and academic integrity—while examining real-world scenarios relevant to Wisconsin schools.
Attendees identified both the opportunities and risks associated with AI and applied an ethical decision-making framework to guide policy development and implementation. Participants also received a comprehensive resource guide featuring expert-recommended research, tools, and policy references to support ongoing district planning.
Expert Perspectives
The panel brought together interdisciplinary expertise from across UW–Madison and the education policy community:
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Shamya Karumbaiah, Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology, UW–Madison
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John Martin, Senior Teaching & Learning Developer, UW–Madison
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John Surdyk, Teaching Faculty & Director of Initiative Studies, School of Business, UW–Madison
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John Thomsen, Director of Engagement and Policy and Wisconsin Associate, Neola, Inc.
The session was moderated by:
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Kevin McCormick, Superintendent/Principal, Washington-Caldwell School District, Waterford, WI
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Sarah K. Ripp, Assistant Director, Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies, UW–Madison & member of the School District of Lodi’s Board of Directors
Advancing the Wisconsin RISE-AI Initiative
The program exemplified the goals of UW–Madison’s RISE-AI initiative, part of the broader Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative.
The Wisconsin RISE Initiative is designed to address complex challenges of critical importance to Wisconsin and the world through strategic faculty hiring, enhanced research infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaboration, and expanded educational opportunities. This session reflected those priorities by bringing together expertise from multiple disciplines and translating university research into practical guidance for Wisconsin school leaders.
By engaging educators statewide in conversations about ethical, human-centered AI implementation, the program strengthened connections between UW–Madison innovation and the real-world needs of K–12 communities. The strong participation from district leaders highlighted the growing demand for responsible AI guidance and demonstrated the university’s role as a trusted partner in supporting schools through technological change.
Sponsored By
This session was made possible through the support of the following UW–Madison units:
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African Studies Program
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Center for East Asian Studies
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Center for Southeast Asian Studies
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Institute for Regional and International Studies National Resource Center
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International Division
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Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program
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Center for European Studies
Learn more about UW–Madison’s global and area studies initiatives.
AI RESOURCE GUIDE (Curated with guidance from the panelists)
This collaborative effort highlighted UW–Madison’s leadership in advancing ethical, interdisciplinary approaches to artificial intelligence while supporting Wisconsin educators in preparing students and schools for an AI-informed future.