On July 1, 2026, New York City educators and industry leaders gathered at Google's offices to discuss the future of AI in classrooms. The event, co-hosted by Google, the New York Jobs CEO Council, and Urban Assembly, brought together 150 education and industry leaders to foster knowledge sharing between those hiring for the future and those teaching it.
Hands-On Sessions
Participants engaged in hands-on sessions such as aiEDU's "Vibe Coding" and Google's "Meet LEA." These sessions allowed educators to explore tools like Google AI mode and NotebookLM, which can spark curiosity and build AI literacy among students.
Key Themes
A major theme that emerged was that AI's true impact lies in the problem-solving it enables. Industry leaders emphasized that as technology streamlines workflows, "human skills" such as adaptability, collaboration, and critical judgment become essential. Attendees also agreed on the importance of maintaining uncompromising privacy and equitable access to AI tools.
Takeaway
The ultimate takeaway from the summit was that to prepare a generation for the future, technological innovation must happen with schools, not around them. The event featured a fireside chat between NYC Public Schools' Chief of Student Pathways Jane Martínez Dowling and Google's Steven Butschi, moderated by Urban Assembly CEO David Adams. Other highlights included opening remarks by Google's Tequila Lamar and a real-time demo of Google Search Live.
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