Keynote speakers in fields of computer science and artificial intelligence to highlight one-day conference on the future of teaching, learning, and legal considerations

RIVERSIDE – As artificial intelligence reshapes industries like communication, entertainment, technology, and the everyday human interaction with all aspects of culture and commerce, the impact is also affecting the way that students and educators are learning and teaching.

The Riverside County Office of Education is set to welcome influential thinkers, innovative educators, and technology leaders, to the first-ever Riverside County AI Summit set for Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (4280 Brockton Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501). 

“This conference will help educators see the importance and value of harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to help students think critically about how to thrive in a world of machine learning,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “Preparing students for a future without the knowledge of how to leverage the power of AI would be doing them a disservice. We want students and educators to have all the tools they need to make an impact on their ever-changing world.” 

The Riverside County AI Summit is sponsored by Alludo Learning. Alludo Learning provides online, anytime professional learning for districts to support training for AI, ChatGPT or any other tool or system.

Keynote speakers include:

Katherine Goyette, Computer Science Coordinator, California Department of Education

Katherine was the primary writer for California’s inaugural Computer Science Standards and is a member of various regional and statewide committees for computer science education and digital learning. She is the founding President of the Computer Science Teacher Association’s California Central Valley Chapter. Katherine speaks across the nation about various educational topics. Her certifications include: Google Certified Educator, Trainer, and Innovator, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Dare to Lead, Apple Teacher, Microsoft Innovative Educator, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, PBLCore Certified Trainer, and Universal Design for Learning Trainer of Trainers. 

Dr. Sabba Quidwai, CEO, Designing Schools 

Dr. Quidwai believes cultures of innovation begin with a culture of empathy. Her journey took her from being a high school teacher to education executive at Apple. Dr. Quidwai now works with organizations to design schools that give young people the mindset and skills to thrive in workplaces and as global citizens. Sabba hosts the podcast, "Designing Schools," and released a documentary based on her research on design thinking in K-12. 

Breakout sessions aimed at a broad spectrum of school employees include:

• Legal Considerations for AI in Education
• Preparing Students for AI Ethics and Dilemmas 
• ARTificial Intelligence and the Arts: Threat, Collaborator or Tool? 
• AI EmpowerED: How AI is Changing the Game 

Additional speakers and presentations are being added throughout December and January and will be posted on the AI Summit Sched.

A series of pre-summit sessions were held in November and December for communities of educators interested in sharing ideas and gaining hands-on experience with AI tools.

“The widespread influence of artificial intelligence requires educators at all levels to recognize how topics such as personalized learning, curricular integration, and ethical usage, should be incorporated into our educational world,” said Dr. Heidi Baynes, Educational Technology Coordinator at the Riverside County Office of Education. “All school employees—from the classroom to the board room and everywhere in-between—should consider attending the conference as all aspects of education are being shaped by rapidly changing tools that will only continue to expand in depth and scope.”

More information is available on the AI Summit web page or by contacting Dr. Heidi Baynes, at ets@rcoe.us.

Registration is $150 per person (deadline is Wednesday, January 19, 2024) at events.rcoe.us/AISummit.