FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
District among the first in the nation to host large-scale AI training focused on efficiency, safety, and stronger student connections
TAMPA, Fla. (June 18, 2026) — Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) brought together nearly 1,000 teachers and administrators this week for an AI Summit focused on credentialing staff in the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence in education.
Over the course of the multi-day summit, educators developed four key competencies: responsible use, prompting for success, engaging instruction, and differentiating instruction. These focus areas strengthened teachers’ ability to use AI safely, craft effective prompts, design engaging lessons, and tailor instruction to meet diverse student needs.
Educators participated in hands-on sessions and collaboration focused on how AI could streamline planning, personalize learning, and increase efficiency. By reducing time spent on administrative tasks, teachers explored how these tools could create more opportunities for meaningful, one-on-one instruction with students.
“We are being very intentional about how we bring artificial intelligence into our classrooms,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “This summit is about giving our educators the tools and credentials to use AI in ways that save time, strengthen instruction, and create more opportunities for meaningful connections with students. At the same time, we are putting the right guardrails in place to ensure this technology is used safely, responsibly, and always in service of learning.”
“This work is about more than exposure to AI—it’s about credentialing our educators with the skills to use it effectively every day,” said Chief Academic Officer Gary Brady. “When teachers know how to use these tools with confidence and purpose, they can save time, strengthen instruction, and focus more on what matters most—supporting students.”
The summit reinforced HCPS’ leadership in emerging technology. District leaders have shared their approach on panels and with peers, highlighting how HCPS is embracing AI while putting guardrails in place to ensure safety and strong instructional practices.
District leaders noted the event may place HCPS among the first school districts in the nation to host a comprehensive AI summit designed to credential both teachers and administrators.
To learn to learn more about HCPS’s implementation of AI, visit Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Parent Resource Guide | Hillsborough County Public Schools.