What does it mean for students to be 'AI ready?'

In this "in-house" episode, aiEDU CEO Alex Kotran sits down with Chief Program Officer Emma Doggett Neergaard and Director of Learning Khushali Narechania to explore the organization's new AI Readiness Framework. The aiEDU Learning Team unpacks how their framework provides a roadmap for K-12 educators to prepare students for an AI-powered future.
The team dives deep into what makes their framework unique – specifically, its focus on durable skills like critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving alongside technical knowledge. Rather than prescribing specific AI tools or technologies that quickly become outdated, the AI Readiness Framework emphasizes building foundational skills that will serve students regardless of how AI evolves.
One key point is that AI readiness reinforces many educational priorities that we already value. "Critical thinking is not something we just came up with," Emma explains. "It's more important than ever." The conversation also explores how core subjects like English and math become more crucial, not less, as AI transforms the workplace and society.
Whether you're a classroom teacher wondering how AI impacts your subject area, a school leader developing an implementation strategy, or a district administrator crafting education policy, this episode provides clear guidance on meaningful next steps toward comprehensive AI readiness for all students.
You can download the complete AI Readiness Framework at aiEDU.org and join the conversation about preparing students for success in an AI-transformed world.

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/