uLead2026 - The Summit of Educational Leadership

School leadership was built for an era that no longer exists, while generative AI is transforming teaching, learning, and knowledge work faster than systems and policies can adapt. In our work with school and district leaders, we see a consistent pattern in which conversations about AI often trigger control, restriction, or compliance-oriented responses, even though research shows this can undermine teacher agency. This session invites leaders to rethink their role by shifting their focus from managing technology and tightening rules to designing cultures where teachers retain ownership of their craft. Participants will explore real examples from the field and a practical, research-informed leadership playbook that supports ethical and empowering AI use. They will leave with new mental models, culture-building strategies, and policy tools that strengthen teacher professionalism and enable innovation to thrive.