Birthplace: Falmouth, Massachusetts 
Professional Background: Former technology attorney, tech business leader and small business owner.
AI Experience: Started career as a tech lawyer and tech business leader working on backend platform technologies, online privacy and e-commerce at AOL.
Favorite AI App or Use: I use Beautiful.ai to help generate presentations for projects and community events. 
Hobbies Outside of Work and AI: Roller skating, listening to music, dancing, helping kids, spending time with family and quiet time in nature.

Why did you want to be involved in the commission, and what has your experience been like so far?

I am the granddaughter, daughter and wife of educators and the mother of a college student focused on tech. As a former technology attorney and legislator focused on AI and emerging technologies, the two worlds of education and technology nicely meet. Joining the commission seemed like a natural opportunity to help inform the ethical, equitable and innovative uses of technology in the classroom for our kids. Commission members have been thoughtful and diligent about meeting the challenges and opportunities presented by offering guidance in this space in a way that is as holistic as possible. It’s an exciting time to be in this space and having these conversations.

How might AI change what we teach?

AI will help inform what we teach in the classroom. Its swiftness and ability to extract large amounts of data in seconds can help enrich the breadth and depth of what students learn and have access to in the classroom. As they also learn ethical considerations, continue to hone critical thinking skills, teachers and students will begin to gain better discernment, ability and confidence as they supplement standard curriculum with accurate and updated information not yet contained in standard textbooks – this could be from the accounts of historical figures and events to writing and arithmetic, and more. If we do it responsibly, the what of how we teach as influenced by AI will result in enriched thinking and problem-solving abilities, deepen classroom engagement, enable new and important skill development, and maximize learning outcomes.

How might AI change how we teach?

This is an ever-evolving question that will continue to reveal new ways and methods as AI and related technologies become more sophisticated. Currently, we can see value in the use of AI for certain customized learning for students. Teachers often have large classes with students at different levels of academic performance. While technology should never take the place of important human contact, attention and teaching instruction, it can supplement learning in more tailored ways to help students understand lessons, master concepts and thrive academically.

Do you believe AI can support educators without diminishing human interaction and emotional intelligence in the classroom?

Yes, absolutely! If done correctly as a supplement to teacher instruction. In fact, AI has the potential to become a great tool to develop customized learning specific to individual student needs in the classroom. Our students will always need critical thinking and problem-solving skills so a balanced approach to create positive learning outcomes leveraging tech and teacher instruction in and outside of the classroom will remain a necessity.

How might the work of this commission change the course of AI in education?

The commission has an opportunity to influence how we think about the way, the what, and the why of how we educate our children and prepare them for the future; a future where technology is most certainly highly integrated into everyday life. We cannot blindly embrace the exciting new tools, features and functionality of tech (because they are pretty incredible!) in our classrooms specifically, or in society generally. We must be discerning. We must ask questions. We must ensure equity and access. We must ensure trustworthiness and more. I believe the commission can lend a distinct voice and insight that inspires and encourages us all to be all those things as we co-create together what educating our children looks like and feels like going forward.