“Building What’s Next, Together” Convened K-12 Leaders to Advance Responsible, Student-Centered Approaches to AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Learning

 

Washington, D.C. (April 22, 2026) — CoSN — The Consortium for School Networking concluded its 2026 Annual Conference, Building What’s Next, Together, on April 15. It’s largest gathering to date, the conference convened K-12 technology leaders, superintendents, and partners from across the country to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing education today.

Across three days of keynotes, workshops, panels, and interactive sessions, the conference highlighted how school system leaders are implementing education technology intentionally to enhance learning while protecting students online. Conversations emphasized evidence-based, locally driven decision-making and responsible governance as essential to ensuring technology serves instructional goals and meets community expectations.

“This year’s conference reflected both the complexity of the moment and the leadership required to meet it,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “As districts navigate efforts to ban screens, implement AI, and enhance cybersecurity, data privacy, and student well-being, the conversations at CoSN2026 reinforced that technology is most effective when it is centered on learning, guided by educators, and implemented locally with trust, transparency, and purpose.”

The conference opened with a keynote conversation featuring Dr. David Schuler, Executive Director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and Jean-Claude Brizard, President and CEO of Digital Promise, who explored how local leaders can innovate with technology to strengthen learner agency, collaboration, creativity, and engagement. A second keynote by Dr. Candice Odgers of University of California Irvine examined youth well-being and technology use through long-term research, equipping leaders with evidence-based insights to inform local conversations regarding screen time. The closing keynote was a forward-looking panel on AI leadership in K-12 education, featuring insights from Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer of Women Leading ED, Dr. Michael J. Jabbour of Microsoft, and Pinar Seyhan Demirdag of Cuebric.

Other sessions explored real-world district implementation of education technology, the value of professional development for educators, and ethical frameworks for AI adoption. Hands-on AI Playgrounds provided space for technology leaders to exchange ideas, explore tools, and think through how to apply emerging technology to support teaching and learning. Across sessions, speakers emphasized that effective education technology enhances accessibility, ensuring all students — regardless of background, ability, or location — can fully participate in modern learning environments.

Student data privacy and cybersecurity also remained central to CoSN2026, with district and state leaders sharing strategies to strengthen safeguards through policy development, vendor vetting, and collaborative cohort models. These sessions reinforced the importance of protecting students through strong governance, clear expectations, and nationally recognized frameworks, such as CoSN’s Trusted Learning Environment Seal.

Alongside partners ATLIS, ISTE+ASCD, and the Digital Citizenship Coalition, CoSN announced the release of Setting Conditions for Success: Guidelines for Responsible Use of Technology for Schools, offering updated guidance to help districts clearly communicate technology expectations. The conference also featured several CoSN awards, recognizing districts, leaders, and partners for exemplary leadership, innovation, and service in education technology.

For more information about CoSN and its initiatives, visit www.cosn.org.

About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 EdTech leaders, stands at the forefront of education innovation. We are driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their teams, and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Our vision is rooted in a future where every learner reaches their unique potential, guided by our community. CoSN represents over 13 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. www.cosn.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Makenzie Carlin, mcarlin@fratelli.com