AI as an arrival technology for schools… and what does that mean?
I continue to be amazed by AI, and at the same time, I recognize just how complex and rapidly unfolding it is.
As Eric Hudson framed it in an earlier podcast episode, AI is an arrival technology. That's a phrase worth sitting with, because it reframes the conversation entirely. This isn't a trend to evaluate. It's a shift schools must plan for.
What "Arrival Technology" Actually Means for Schools
Unlike smartboards or 1:1 laptop programs, you can't opt out of AI. It's embedded everywhere, whether you're using ChatGPT, Gemini, or relying on AI built into your phone. It's pervasive across every form of technology your students, faculty, and families already use.
That reality raises significant questions for independent schools:
How do you introduce AI responsibly?
How do you equip faculty to learn alongside students?
What ethical guidelines need to be in place?
And how do you prepare graduates for a workforce that will look very different in four or eight years?
These aren't hypothetical questions. They're operational ones. And the schools that treat them that way will be better positioned than the ones still debating whether AI deserves a spot on the agenda.
A Parent's Perspective on an Uncertain Future
I think about this a lot as a parent.
I have a daughter in college and a son in high school. For years, I felt like I could look ahead and have a reasonable sense of what the market might do. But with AI, I don't have a clear picture of what the job market will look like when they graduate.
What I do know is that AI will be part of it. That makes the responsibility to guide students not just important but urgent. Schools are on the front lines of that work, whether they feel ready or not.
How One School Is Getting It Right
This week's episode of the Independent School Moonshot Podcast, Vail Mountain School's Collaborative Approach to AI Policy and Practice, examines how one school is taking on that responsibility in a way that's thoughtful and replicable.
Kelly Enright, Director of Technology at Vail Mountain School, shares how they've approached AI as a community-wide effort rather than a top-down mandate.
How the Work Unfolded
It started with a student committee exploring AI. That small starting point grew into structured conversations with faculty, clearer guidelines for individual classes, and even tailored lessons for younger students. Along the way, parents and graduates were invited into the dialogue.
That's not a linear rollout. It's an iterative one, which is exactly right for something this fluid.
Key Takeaways from Kelly's Story
Start small. A committee or pilot program can spark meaningful momentum without requiring a complete policy framework on day one.
Create space for faculty to voice concerns before asking them to experiment. The buy-in process matters.
Use an iterative approach to policy, incorporating student and teacher input throughout rather than handing down a finished document.
Bring parents and graduates into the conversation to strengthen community trust.
Keep the focus on preparing students for the future, not just managing the present.
What Makes This Worth Your Time
Kelly's story is both practical and encouraging. It's a case study in how a school can engage its entire community around AI while keeping student success at the center. There's no silver bullet here, but there is a model worth learning from.
If you're a head of school, director of technology, or senior administrator trying to figure out where to start, this episode is a good place to begin.
Where Is Your School Right Now?
I'd love to hear where your school stands with AI. Are you experimenting? Still figuring out where to start? Already developing policies and practices?
There's no single right answer to that question, but there is a right mindset: treat AI as the arrival technology it is, and plan accordingly.
