Hype, Hope & Hard Choices: Two Free Webinars on AI in Education
For Educators
Two sessions focused on questions schools are actively working through: academic integrity and student thinking in the age of AI.
Join us on Tuesday, April 21 at 4:30 PM for “Is using AI just cheating?”—a look at how task design, not just detection, shapes student use of AI and what “original work” means today. Then, on Wednesday, May 13 at 4:30 PM, we’ll explore “Does AI lower the quality of student thinking?” by examining when AI supports learning and when it replaces it.
Watch the first webinar in the series
We meet you where you are
Customized AI professional development and consulting for K-12 schools across Michigan
Workshops & professional development
Hands-on AI training tailored to your district’s needs—from introductory sessions to advanced implementation strategies. Delivered in-person or virtually with practical, classroom-ready takeaways.
Keynote presentations
Engaging keynotes for conferences, board meetings, and district events. Our AI Strategists bring real-world experience and research-backed insights to inspire and inform your community.
Policy & strategy consulting
Support for developing AI guidance, policies, and implementation roadmaps. We facilitate task force meetings and help districts build sustainable AI integration plans grounded in ethical best practices.
Practical AI literacy for students & teachers
From free videos and guides to in-depth online lessons, our AI literacy materials make it easy to engage and educate students at every level.
Flexible online AI professional development
Explore AI at your own pace or as part of a district-wide initiative. Our online professional development courses are designed for educators to build confidence and skills in using AI, whether individually or as part of a team. With flexible scheduling and practical resources, these courses are perfect for busy teachers and schools alike.
Pilot opportunities
Through our pilot programs, we collaborate with educators, administrators, and technologists to test innovative tools and strategies in education. These programs offer opportunities to explore new approaches, gather insights, and contribute to meaningful improvements in teaching and learning. By participating, you can help shape the future of education while advancing your own practices.
AI micro-credentials
Our AI micro-credentials are designed for school leaders and decision-makers—like curriculum and technology directors—who want to shape thoughtful AI integration in their schools. Each course offers SCECHs and is open to any educator ready to lead the way in responsible, effective AI use.
Featured resources
Free and comprehensive AI resources developed by the Michigan Virtual AI Lab
Prototype Playground
AI tools and resources that are works in progress. All resources here are in development phases for educational purposes.
AI Integration Framework
Comprehensive roadmap for school leaders across eight key areas of AI integration.
Student Guide to AI
Decision-making framework helping students use AI responsibly and intentionally.
Teacher Guide to AI
Practical strategies and tools for educators integrating AI into classroom instruction.
Admin Guide to AI
Leadership-focused guidance for administrators implementing AI across schools and districts.
AI Literacy Courses
Online courses with SCECHs for educators ready to lead AI integration.
Annual AI Summit
Michigan's premier AI in education conference bringing together 500+ educators.
Our AI Strategists
Experienced educators helping Michigan schools navigate AI integration with practical, research-backed approaches.
Aaron Baughman
- Co-Chair, MI Statewide AI Steering Committee
- Former Asst. Superintendent
- 25+ Years in Education
Aaron Baughman serves as an AI Strategist for the Michigan Virtual AI Lab, leading statewide efforts to help schools integrate artificial intelligence in meaningful, ethical, and equitable ways. With more than 25 years of experience as a teacher, principal, and district instructional leader—including serving as Assistant Superintendent of Instruction at Northville Public Schools—he brings deep administrative expertise to AI implementation.
Aaron co-chairs the Michigan Statewide AI Steering Committee and works with its subcommittees to create shared frameworks, readiness guides, and practical models for K-12 use. He contributes to key resources such as the AI Integration Guide for School Administrators and supports districts in building capacity, strengthening confidence, and fostering innovation. His work is guided by a belief that AI, when implemented responsibly, can remove barriers, personalize learning, and give every student a fair chance to succeed.
Areas of Expertise:
District AI Strategy, Educational Leadership, AI Policy Development, Professional Learning Design, School Administration & Equity in AI Access
Annie Kim Sytsma
- Dual Master's Degrees
- Ed Tech & Instructional Design
- 13+ Years in K-12 Education
Annie Kim Sytsma is an AI Strategist at Michigan Virtual with over 13 years of on-the-ground K-12 education experience. She holds dual Master's degrees in Educational Technology and Instructional Design, combining deep theoretical knowledge with practical implementation expertise to deliver balanced, ethical, and effective approaches to AI integration.
Annie's background as an English and Psychology teacher, District Technology Specialist, District Intervention Coordinator, and school administrator provides her with comprehensive instructional and operational knowledge across all levels of school systems. She is committed to empowering both teachers and students to grow in knowledge and engage in the meaningful practice of emerging AI technologies—always keeping the human element at the center of teaching and learning.
Areas of Expertise:
Instructional Design, Ethical AI Implementation, English Language Arts, Educational Psychology, Technology Integration & School Administration
Karle Delo
- Top 30 EdTech Influencer 2023
- M.A. Educational Technology
- 14+ Years in K-12 Education
Karle is an AI Strategist at Michigan Virtual with over 14 years of experience in public education. She holds a Master’s in Educational Technology and has experience as a science teacher, technology integrationist, and curriculum director. Recognized as one of the top 30 IT influencers to follow in 2023 by EdTech Magazine, Karle is a seasoned presenter and has shared insights at both state and national conferences.
Areas of Expertise:
AI Professional Development, Student AI Literacy, AI Ethics & Responsible Use, Curriculum & Instruction & AI Integration Best Practices
Featured in
Podcasts, news, and media appearances featuring our AI Strategists
How Students Really Use AI
Make it Mindful Podcast — Karle Delo explores how students are actually using AI and what educators can learn by paying closer attention.
AI Equity, Policy, & Practice
Make it Mindful Podcast — Aaron Baughman discusses how AI can level the playing field for under-resourced schools when implemented thoughtfully.
Ethics & Challenges of AI in K-12
My EdTech Life Podcast — Expert panel discussing responsible AI adoption, student data privacy, and best practices for teacher training.
AI in Education Questions We Need to Answer
The AI Education Conversation — Deep dive into AI's impact on schools, adoption strategies, AI detection, and the role of AI education products.
Northville Schools Embracing the AI Revolution
The Oakland Press — How Aaron Baughman led Northville Public Schools' district-wide AI implementation, getting 250+ teachers using AI tools.
AI Cheating & Trust in Classrooms
Detroit Free Press — Expert perspective on AI detection, building student-teacher trust, and rethinking assessment in the AI age.
WWJ Radio Clip: Nikolas McGehee on AI in Education
WWJ — Nikolas McGehee joins WWJ to share insights on how artificial intelligence is shaping teaching, learning, and decision-making in today’s schools.
What educators are saying
Feedback from Michigan school districts who've partnered with our AI Strategists
Outstanding! I loved the ways in which AI can be used and how Michigan Virtual will work with districts to develop an implementation plan. Well done!
I am so excited about all of the resources shared with us today. I also love how we got the opportunity to actually use them.
Great job! I really enjoyed the day and Karle did a great job showing us a variety of uses with Gemini. I could have spent hours working with you.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about AI professional development and consulting.
The Michigan Virtual AI Lab provides AI professional development for K-12 schools across Michigan. Our team of AI Strategists—Karle Delo, Aaron Baughman, and Annie Kim Sytsma—have delivered over 500 workshops and presentations to more than 19,000 educators statewide. Michigan Virtual's AI resources are endorsed by the Michigan Department of Education as the state's official AI guidance for districts.
Michigan Virtual's AI Strategists are experienced keynote speakers and presenters available for education conferences, district events, and professional development days across Michigan and nationally. They have presented at major conferences including ISTE, SXSW EDU, MACUL, and the annual Michigan Virtual AI Summit. Contact ailab@michiganvirtual.org to book a speaker.
Michigan Virtual offers comprehensive AI resources including: the AI Integration Framework for school leaders, the Student Guide to AI for classroom use, AI Literacy courses and micro-credentials with SCECHs, hands-on workshops tailored to your district's needs, and policy development support. All resources focus on responsible, ethical, and equitable AI integration.
Michigan Virtual's AI Strategists support districts in developing AI guidance and policies through facilitated task force meetings, strategic planning sessions, and ongoing consultation. Aaron Baughman co-chairs the Michigan Statewide AI Steering Committee, which creates shared frameworks and readiness guides for K-12 use. Contact the AI Lab at ailab@michiganvirtual.org to discuss your district's needs.
Yes! Michigan Virtual offers customized AI professional development for educators and administrators including hands-on workshops (in-person or virtual), online courses with SCECHs, AI micro-credentials for school leaders, keynote presentations, and ongoing consulting partnerships. Training covers AI tools for teaching, AI literacy, ethical considerations, and implementation strategies tailored to your school's context.
Ready to bring AI training to your school?
Let’s work together to help your educators and students navigate AI with confidence, responsibility, and purpose.