Vera Cubero
Vera Cubero is the Emerging Technologies Consultant for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where she leads the state's AI implementation initiatives in K-12 education. She chairs NC's AI Implementation Steering Committee and directs the NC AI Collaboratives, guiding district leaders in policy development and AI literacy. A recognized AI in education expert, she serves on the Southern Regional Education Board's Commission on Artificial Intelligence in Education and the EdSafe Alliance AI Catalyst Fellowship. Her work has been featured at major conferences including ISTE and ASCD 2024, where she was a Main Stage speaker. A Google Certified Trainer since 2014, she authored NC's comprehensive AI implementation guidelines for PK-13 schools and actively contributes to national discussions on responsible AI integration in education through numerous panels, podcasts, and publications.
Good, Bad, & Ugly: AI In Education
We will explore the complexities of AI in education, focusing on both its benefits and potential risks and the importance of equitable and responsible implementation. Participants will gain an awareness of the new and promising capabilities of AI and its potential to help humanity while also gaining awareness of threats such as deepfake videos, audio manipulations, and other AI-driven security challenges. This session should provide insight into what education leaders need to know to mitigate these risks while also ensuring students are prepared for the future they will inherit.Â
Dr. Torrey Trust
Dr. Torrey Trust is a Professor of Learning Technology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst whose research examines the intersection of teaching, learning, and technology. She specializes in digital professional learning networks, emerging pedagogical tools and practices, and open educational resources. Dr. Trust's pioneering work in educational technology has earned numerous accolades, including the 2020 AECT Annual Achievement Award and the 2023 UMass Amherst Distinguished Teaching Award. A recognized thought leader in higher education technology, she was named among the Top 30 Higher Ed IT Influencers in both 2020 and 2024. Her commitment to improving digital learning opportunities was honored with the 2018 ISTE Making IT Happen Award, and her research has garnered multiple awards from AERA, ISTE, and MERLOT.
From ChatGPT to Grammarly: Balancing Innovation, Integrity, and Ethics in the Age of AI
Description: Students today have access to AI tools that can write for them, take lecture notes, summarize readings, brainstorm ideas, and even “learn” for them…but should they use these tools? This session will explore how generative AI (GenAI) technologies work, the ethical considerations of using these technologies for teaching and learning, and how to design academic integrity policies that demonstrate an informed position on GenAI use in the classroom.
