FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Student & Community Voice AI Summit to Launch Inaugural AI  Student Agency Awards

in Anaheim March 19-21, 2026

National Gathering Focuses on Ethical AI Integration that Fosters Student Agency and Whole Child Development

ANAHEIM, CA – November 21, 2025 – The Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD), Inflexion, UCI School of Education,and Youth Engage announce the Student and Community Voice AI Summit. This national gathering, focused on equitable, student-centered AI integration in K-12 education, will be held on March 20-21, 2026, at the Anaheim Hilton. Building on the success of the 2025 AI K12 Deeper Learning Summit, this year's event is expected to draw over 800 students, educators, and community leaders from across North America.

The Summit introduces the inaugural AI K12 Student Agency Awards, a national recognition celebrating 15 school districts that demonstrate ethical AI practices that foster student learning and agency. Award winners will be celebrated during a dedicated reception on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

"This recognition isn't about who has the most technology or the biggest AI budgets," said Brian Brady, Principal, Youth Engage. "It's about districts empowering students and communities to lead in the age of AI."

AI K12 Student Agency Award Dates:

• Dec 15, 2025: District Nominations Due 

• Jan 15, 2026: District Award Applications Due 

• Mar 20, 2026 (6 p.m.): Student Agency Awards Reception at Anaheim Hilton

The Convening Sponsor for the Summit is the Orange County Supervisor and Chair, Doug Chaffee. 
Lead Presenting Partners include: AI for Equity, Aurora Public Schools, Cajon Valley Public Schools, Common Sense Media, Digital Promise, eKadence Learning Foundation, GENup, Leading Educators, Orange County Department of Education, and Playlab.

What Makes This Summit Distinct

The Summit centers on improving teaching and learning in real classrooms, developing students' real world skills, and giving the full community a voice in the school improvement process. Rather than product pitches, attendees will engage with educators sharing their teaching practices and hands-on learning experiences anchored in the summit’s H.A.N.D.S. Framework:

• Human readiness & vision

• Authentic community partnership

• Next generation student skills 

• Deeper learning and ethical development

• Students as civic problem solvers and entrepreneurs

Special Partnership with Anaheim Union High School District

The summit kicks off Thursday, March 19th, with exclusive pre-summit site visits to schools within the Anaheim Union High School District. AUHSD has emerged as a national leader in thoughtful, equity-centered AI integration, making it an ideal host for this educational event.

Summit Schedule

Thursday, March 19: Pre-summit school visits across AUHSD and opening reception featuring student soapbox speeches and a student panel led by Shane Safir, author of The Pedagogy of Voice.

Friday-Saturday, March 20-21: Full summit programming with breakout sessions, plenary speakers, student panels, and networking opportunities:

• Hands-on AI workshops for classroom and district use focusing on practical AI applications

• Redesigning teaching and learning with the help of AI

• Career development in the Age of AI

• Student-led presentations and panels

• District case studies on successful AI integration

• Ethics and equity sessions focused on privacy, access, and protecting student privacy while ensuring equitable access

Registration

Early bird registration is $360 (a 20% discount through Dec 21). Districts submitting a workshop proposal receive one complimentary registration.