For education leaders, the question is no longer whether artificial intelligence (AI) will influence learning. The bigger question is how to implement it responsibly, confidently, securely and in ways that support students and teachers.
The Accelerating Pace of AI
The pace of change is creating more urgency. A few years ago, artificial intelligence could barely answer advanced algebra questions. Last year, AI systems were earning gold-medal scores at the International Math Olympiad, says Mark Daley, chief AI officer at Western University. “We’re living in a world where machine intelligence has solved problems the smartest humans couldn’t solve in 40 years.”
That underscores how AI’s acceleration is reshaping the very purpose of learning. Speaking at a Dell Technologies Education Summit in Markham, Ont. in March, Mr. Daley noted that “Your student’s phone may soon outscore the professor.”
Structured Adoption Over Tools Alone
The summit was a way for Dell to bring together leaders to explore what AI makes possible while keeping the spotlight on human-centred learning. While AI is opening extraordinary possibilities, meaningful adoption requires structure, not just tools, says Katina Papulkas, senior education strategist, Dell Technologies. Deploying AI isn’t simply a technology project. To help drive intended outcomes, she suggests schools and universities should be creating cross-functional AI teams spanning IT, human resources, teaching and learning, finance and executive offices. This kind of collaboration, she notes, helps ensure AI supports institutional goals.
Ms. Papulkas says strong data governance and cybersecurity frameworks are critical, and that AI guidelines are better than hard and fast policies. Given how quickly the technology is evolving, guidelines offer more flexibility.
Scaling From Experimentation to Operations
This foundation is essential as schools scale up from experimentation to more widespread operational use. As this shift happens, dramatic productivity improvements are already evident. Derek Tengredi, senior educational strategist at the Logics Academy in London, Ont., points to how Microsoft Copilot is being used to create curriculum outlines, draft reports and summarize meetings within secure, compliant boundaries. Such use cases show how automation can enable educators and administrators to focus on higher-value work such as mentoring and strategizing.
Balancing Risks and Opportunities
Yet even with gains like these, leaders should be mindful that progress can bring risks as well as opportunities. For instance, AI systems can narrow gaps dramatically, by giving every student an individual tutor with endless patience and availability. Still, with all of its potential, AI could widen inequities in education if left unmanaged. Those who already have advantages may get further ahead. Responsible adoption means ensuring every learner can benefit from the same tools.
“There’s an incredible ability to level the playing field, but it has to be done in a way that isn’t impacted by the type or size of the school, or how rural it is,” says James Scott, Canadian field chief technology officer, Dell Technologies.
The Role of Partnerships
As educational institutions look to navigate these complexities and move beyond AI 101, partnerships can matter as much as innovation. That’s why Dell Technologies has combined its expertise in digital transformation with a dedicated education strategy team in Canada. “We’ve lived the same life our education partners are living. We’re a step ahead, but we’re learning with them,” Ms. Papulkas says.
Trusted guidance can helps institutions move forward with clarity. As they do and leaders look ahead, another critical question surfaces: how will AI will affect the very role of educators? While AI is disruptive, its rise should make teachers even more vital, not less, says Mr. Daley. Teachers are the ones who help students develop curiosity, resilience and empathy. When information is free, he says relationships and perspective become the greatest differentiators in a student’s learning experience. “We’re entering a world where answers are cheap,” Mr. Daley says. “Let’s use the technology to do what it can do best: freeing up more time for educators to do the things that are uniquely human.”
Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio with Dell. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.
