At the Learning Counsel Learning Futures & Tech Media Meeting in San Diego, Julie Garcia, Senior Director of Future Ready Learning, and Derek Suzuki, Program Manager of Instructional Technology, shared the district’s forward-thinking approach to artificial intelligence integration in schools. Their presentation highlighted how San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) is empowering educators and students to harness AI responsibly and creatively.
A Ground-Up Approach to AI Integration
Julie Garcia opened the session by acknowledging that while some districts may be further along, SDUSD is intentionally building its AI roadmap from the ground up.
“Our journey began a few years ago with the whole, ‘Oh my gosh, ChatGPT, what is this?’ moment,” Garcia explained. “Teachers were concerned about cheating, and some feared AI might replace their roles. Our approach has been to shift the conversation from fear to opportunity—how can AI enhance teaching and learning?”
With 179 schools in the district, reaching every educator directly was impossible, so the district launched professional development initiatives and events like the AI Expo, which attracted nearly 200 teachers over a summer. These efforts focused on showcasing practical AI tools in classrooms and encouraging teachers to experiment with new approaches.
One-to-One Ambassadors: Empowering Teacher Leadership
To scale AI adoption, SDUSD established a One-to-One Ambassadors program, selecting one teacher from each school to serve as a local leader and advocate for AI integration. These ambassadors meet quarterly, share insights, and support their colleagues in implementing AI strategies effectively.
“The ambassadors act as a bridge between our central team and individual schools,” Garcia noted. “It’s a volunteer role, but it has been instrumental in spreading AI literacy and creating a culture of innovation.”
Creating District Guidelines Through Collaboration
Derek Suzuki emphasized the importance of balancing caution with proactive leadership. “AI is here, and people are experimenting with it. We needed to give them structure and guidance while remaining flexible,” he said.
To achieve this, SDUSD formed a 65-member task force representing teachers, administrators, students, parents, central office departments, and partners like AI EDU and the San Diego County Office of Education. The group’s mission was to understand how AI could be used across the district and to develop guidelines rather than rigid policies, ensuring adaptability as technology evolves.
Suzuki added, “AI impacts more than classrooms—it touches HR, operations, and every part of our organization. Including diverse stakeholders helped us create a framework that’s realistic, actionable, and adaptable for the entire district.”
Looking Ahead
Garcia and Suzuki’s presentation underscored SDUSD’s commitment to human-centered AI adoption, emphasizing teacher leadership, professional development, and stakeholder collaboration. By combining practical classroom applications with district-wide guidelines, San Diego Unified is fostering a culture where AI enhances learning, rather than causing fear or disruption.
Their story serves as a model for districts navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in education: start small, empower educators, and ensure all voices are part of the conversation.
Tune in below for the full presentation.
