AI is transforming education—but not evenly, and not easily.

In this episode of The Catalyst, we step inside classrooms, school boards, and districts, navigating the AI revolution with tight budgets, limited staff, and high stakes for students. From fears around cheating and data privacy to confusion over licensing and unused tools already paid for, this conversation reveals what AI adoption really looks like in public education.

Featuring educators, IT leaders, and policy thinkers on the front lines, the episode explores what schools are getting wrong, what’s quietly working, and why the biggest barrier to AI in education may no longer be money—but people and readiness.

You’ll hear from:

• Drew Olsson, Director of AI & Instructional Technology, Agua Fria Union High School District
• Sophie McQueen, Resource Teacher & Board Consultant, Conseil scolaire ViaMonde
• José Antonio Bowen, Senior Fellow, AAC&U Author, Teaching with AI
• Sandali Amunugama, Microsoft Education Specialist, Softchoice

Key takeaways:

• Why academic integrity fears are masking a deeper relationship problem
• How most schools already have AI tools they aren’t using
• What happens when AI costs drop—but training and trust don’t
• Why meaningful adoption spreads teacher-to-teacher, not top-down

This episode is a candid look at what it takes to move forward when guidance is unclear, expectations are high, and standing still isn’t an option.

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Learn how Softchoice, a World Wide Technology company, helps public sector and education teams do more: softchoice.com/public-sector.

The Catalyst by Softchoice is the podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of humans and technology.