Three key takeaways from our artificial intelligence in ECE webinar

We recently joined Katie Dowle, Storypark's Chief Customer Officer and Sharon Carlson, an experienced ECE leader and consultant, to discuss artificial intelligence in early childhood education. The webinar explored how ECE leaders are thinking about AI, what the key questions and concerns are, and how to approach AI adoption in a thoughtful and values-aligned way.

Here are three key takeaways from the conversation.

1. AI is already in the room

Whether or not you have a formal AI policy, AI is already being used in your service — by educators using tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, or Google's AI features to help with writing, planning, and communication. The question for ECE leaders is not whether to engage with AI, but how to engage with it thoughtfully and in a way that aligns with your values and your obligations to children, families, and staff.

2. The relationship between humans and AI matters

AI can be a powerful tool for reducing administrative burden — helping educators draft documentation, generate ideas, or communicate with families more efficiently. But the relationship between human judgment and AI output is critical. AI should always be a starting point, not an endpoint. Educators and leaders need to review, edit, and take responsibility for everything that goes out under their name — regardless of whether AI was involved in its creation.

3. Start with your values

The most important question to ask before adopting any AI tool is not 'what can this do?' but 'is this aligned with our values?' ECE leaders who approach AI through the lens of their values — their commitment to children's wellbeing, to privacy, to quality, and to genuine human connection — are best placed to make decisions that serve their communities well.

The webinar also touched on practical considerations for ECE leaders, including how to develop an AI policy, how to engage staff in conversations about AI, and how to think about data privacy and security when using AI tools.

If you'd like to watch the full webinar recording, visit our webinars page.