On June 9, 2026, in Mountain View, Calif., K-12 educators gathered at Google’s campus to tackle the potential skepticism surrounding artificial intelligence in education. Many feared resistance from veteran teachers, like an English teacher who might dismiss AI as a ‘shiny tech fad.’ Their goal was to demonstrate AI’s practical benefits, such as creating classroom materials quickly to save time.
The event, attended by 70 educators, was part of the Google Educator Series. This series aims to equip teachers with AI tools and promote their usage among peers. Google’s focus on AI in education marks their intent to embed these tools in educational settings.
According to Winston Roberts from the ISTE+ASCD, addressing resistance involves emphasizing how tools like Google’s Gemini and NotebookLM can alleviate educators’ workload. Overcoming negative sentiment is crucial, especially with public opinion becoming wary of AI amid calls for limitations on its use in schools.
AI’s role in education is expanding, with institutions integrating it into learning environments. Despite AI’s growing presence, many teachers lack guidance. Jennie Magiera from Google emphasized the company’s commitment to training teachers, highlighting AI’s potential to enhance lesson planning and reduce grading time.
Training participants expressed relief at having guidance on the rapidly evolving technology. Karen Compton, an English teacher from Hawaii, shared her experience with AI becoming ubiquitous in students’ vernacular, underscoring educators’ responsibilities to guide proper use.
Google also offers online training modules for K-12 educators, covering topics like study guide creation and lesson design. These resources aim to reposition teachers as ‘learning conductors,’ focusing on directing AI to support educational goals.
Joseph South from ISTE+ASCD noted the importance of embracing AI for future preparedness. Google, with a history of supporting educators, sees AI as a tool to reinvent education through data-driven insights.
Speakers at the training reiterated AI’s role as a supplement rather than a replacement for teachers. Examples included using AI to create educational content, like explaining greenhouse gases or enriching classroom debates.
As educators returned to their districts, they recognized the challenges of promoting AI. Despite ongoing protests and skepticism, participants like Mike Amante are prepared to illustrate AI’s potential benefits, remaining confident that skepticism won’t hinder AI’s integration into education.