Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority
In an era where technology continues to reshape the landscape of education, a recent survey by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) highlights a significant shift in priorities among educational technology leaders. A resounding 94% of respondents expressed their belief that artificial intelligence (AI) will have a positive impact on education. This optimism is evident in the ranking of generative AI as the top technological priority for schools, with 80% reporting that their districts have either initiated or planned generative AI initiatives for the current school year.
The findings are part of the CoSN’s 2025 State of EdTech District Leadership report, which compiled insights from 645 ed tech leaders across the United States. This annual survey serves as a crucial benchmark, shedding light on emerging technologies, evolving cybersecurity measures, connectivity challenges, and other pressing issues facing educational institutions today.
Benefits of AI in Education
The report outlines various potential benefits of incorporating AI into the educational ecosystem. The most prominent advantage, identified by 43% of respondents, is increased productivity. This enhancement in efficiency can vastly improve learning environments, enabling teachers to concentrate more on engaging with students rather than devoting excessive time to administrative tasks.
Following productivity, the survey revealed that 30% of ed tech leaders see AI’s potential for offering personalized education as a key benefit. This personalized approach tailors educational experiences to meet individual student needs, which can lead to enhanced learning outcomes. Additional advantages noted by respondents included AI’s role in preparing students for future careers (10%) and providing tutoring support (7%). Interestingly, a small percentage (6%) felt that AI offers no benefits in educational contexts.
Concerns Regarding AI Implementation
Despite the noted benefits, the conversation around AI in education is not without its concerns. Survey participants expressed a range of apprehensions, with 60% citing the risk of AI enabling new forms of cyberattacks. This underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures as schools adopt AI technologies.
Concerns about student data privacy are also prevalent, with 45% of respondents highlighting this issue. As AI’s capabilities expand, the safeguarding of sensitive student information becomes paramount. Additionally, 43% of leaders raised alarms about the lack of teacher training for effectively integrating AI into existing curricula. This points to a knowledge gap that may slow down the successful application of AI tools in classrooms.
Other issues generating concern included the possibility of AI facilitating new forms of cyberbullying (38%) and the spread of misinformation (36%). However, it’s worth noting that the fear of AI replacing teachers is comparatively low, with a staggering 86% of respondents indicating that they are not at all worried about this eventuality. Similarly, 77% were unconcerned about AI leading to widespread job loss, and 67% expressed little fear of AI surpassing human capabilities.
Policy Framework for Generative AI
As the educational landscape evolves with the introduction of generative AI, many districts are proactively establishing guidelines. More than half (57%) of the respondents indicated that their districts have incorporated policies regarding generative AI into board-approved regulations.
The most common policies include:
- Acceptable Use Policy: Cited by 38% of respondents, this governs the responsible use of AI tools in educational settings.
- Academic Integrity: Mentioned by 32%, this policy aims to uphold standards of honesty and fairness in student work.
- Specific Generative AI Policies: Introduced by 19% of respondents, these policies directly address the unique aspects of generative AI.
- Data Privacy Policies: Implemented by 18%, these guidelines focus on protecting sensitive information.
- Instructional Material and Technology Adoption Policies: Noted by 12%, these policies inform how new technologies can be integrated into educational resources.
Despite these advancements, it is concerning that 43% of respondents indicated their districts lack any formal policies or guidelines for the use of generative AI. This gap poses a challenge, highlighting the need for comprehensive frameworks as educational institutions navigate the intersection of technology and learning.
The full 2025 State of EdTech District Leadership report is available on the CoSN website, offering a deeper dive into the state of educational technology initiatives and the implications of generative AI in schools.
About the Author
Rhea Kelly serves as editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She is an avid advocate for the intersection of technology and education, exploring innovative approaches to improving learning environments. You can connect with her at Rhea McKenzie.