By Susana Tomaz – Futures Education and AI Lead, Westlake Girls High School, and IRCAI Fellow.
What an incredible way to launch the new academic year! The AI in Education Conference series took place in the last week of January, reaching over 900 educators and school leaders from Hamilton, and Kāhui Ako and Principal Associations in Taupō, Nelson, and Wellington. The event showcased a real passion for integrating AI into schools to augment teaching and learning for integrating AI into classrooms to enrich teaching and learning. Hosted by EDConnect, these events set a robust foundation for AI-augmented education by featuring Holly Clark, an international speaker, bestselling author of The AI Infused Classroom, and co-host of The Digital Learning Podcast and also New Zealand thought leaders. Holly’s dynamic advocacy for AI in the classroom is all about creating engaging, tech-enhanced learning experiences.
I was thrilled to join Holly’s workshops in Hamilton and witness firsthand the energy and eagerness of educators ready to explore how AI tools can support their classrooms. I also had the opportunity to present on “Navigating AI Integration: Building Policies, Roadmaps, and Space for AI Innovation.” This presentation reflected the research work of my Masters research and is a big focus of my new role as Futures Education and AI Lead, overseeing AI strategy in schools and empowering educators in AI adoption, through a human-centric and pedagogical approach.
A huge thank you to EDConnect for championing this initiative as we kick off 2025! Special thanks to Bronwyn Weston and Naomi Kinnaird, whose vision, determination, and foresight, ignited after meeting Holly at the World EduLead’24 Ignite Conference in Singapore, helped bring Holly to Aotearoa.
More exciting news: Holly Clark is returning to Aotearoa in July to lead an AI Master Trainer Course with New Zealand educators!
AI Update from Our Minister of Education
The Minister’s address at the Hamilton AI in Education event, delivered by the Hon. Erica Stanford, Minister of Education, provided an update on AI in the education arena. She announced the establishment of a cross-Ministry working group to lead a work programme exploring the appropriate use of AI in teaching and learning. So watch this space!
AI Forum’s Commitment to Empowering AI innovation in Education
Also a quick update, the AI Forum Working Group for Education is hard at work advancing AI-supported education across Aotearoa, New Zealand, and supporting innovation in teaching and learning By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among educators, industry leaders, and policymakers, the workgroup aims to enable that AI’s benefits reach all learners.
Remember to join the AI Forum Community of practice here.
Resources Available
In the meantime, I’ve developed a comprehensive AI Policy for Schools Template and Guidelines as a starting point, to help kickstart AI integration in New Zealand schools. Plus, I’m excited to announce that I’ll soon be launching a website featuring free AI resources for educators. Interested? Please register your interest here.
I am keen to try some AI-infused NZ EdTech, if you are interested please reach out to me.
Shaping the Future of AI in Education in Aotearoa
The AI in Education Conference series has truly set the stage for an exciting 2025, but this is just the beginning. A transformative year lies ahead!
Susana Tomaz
Futures Education and AI Lead, Westlake Girls High School
IRCAI Fellow
