Third Annual Indian Creek AI Summit Inspires Educators to Use AI to Strengthen Connection and Enhance Teaching and Learning

Over 70 independent school educators from across Maryland and Washington, DC, gathered June 24 at Indian Creek School for the Third Annual AI Summit, a one-day conference held in partnership with the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS). Focused on the theme of using artificial intelligence to enhance—not replace—the human elements of education, the summit challenged attendees to move from simply using “smart” tools to becoming strategically smart in their application.

Through a series of speakers, student presentations, and breakout sessions, the summit sparked vibrant discussions on how AI can support educators, empower students, and reimagine school policy with purpose and care.

Setting the tone for the day, opening speaker Mary Ostrowski (Founder of The Drizzle Effect, Educator, and Author), emphasized the need for a shift in mindset:  AI is here to stay and that using AI effectively in schools requires more than adopting the latest tools, but requires intention, ethics, and clear goals.

“Being smart isn’t enough anymore,” said Ostrowski in her presentation Still Wearing All the Hats? Let AI Hold a Few. “We have to be strategically smart—making choices about AI that are aligned with our values as educators.” She shared practical ways teachers can use AI to handle administrative tasks like lesson planning, feedback, and scheduling, freeing up time to focus on what matters most: connecting with students.

A standout moment of the summit came from Indian Creek seniors Madison Harris and Sean Manuel Cogburn, who presented the journey of drafting and implementing the ICS AI policy. Their session highlighted the importance of including student voices in conversations about AI governance, especially as students are among the most active users of the technology.

“Students today are over-informed and under-inspired,” Cogburn shared. “It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by technology, but when students are part of shaping how it's used, they feel more ownership and purpose.”

Throughout the day, speakers reinforced a consistent message: AI is here to stay. Educators and students must not use this powerful tool to replace meaningful connections between students and teachers, but to perform tasks that take up time that could be spent enhancing the aspects of education that make us most human—empathy, creativity, connection, and curiosity.

Indian Creek Dean of Community & Well-Being Isaiah Noreiga led a session on Student Wellness in the Age of AI, exploring how schools can protect mental health and support meaningful relationships in increasingly digital environments.

Volt Technologies’ Head of Security Initiatives Sal Mani added an important perspective on safety and security, highlighting the power—and responsibility—of AI tools used for safeguarding school communities.

Attendees engaged in lively breakout sessions on topics including AI policy writing, classroom projects, and assessment tools. Many educators left with new ideas and a renewed sense of collaboration.

As the summit concluded, organizers reflected on its growing impact. “Each year we build more momentum,” said Sara White, Director of Educational Technology at Indian Creek. “This isn’t about racing to adopt AI or preventing its use in schools —it’s about slowing down to use it wisely, ethically, and in ways that serve the well-being of our students.”

The AI Summit at Indian Creek continues to be a leading event in the region, helping schools approach AI not with fear or hype, but with purpose and vision.