Catalyst Conference helps UCS students and staff look to a future of responsible AI use

UCS staff and high school students attended the 2025 Catalyst Conference in Lansing to collaborate with other Michigan students and educators on the responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.
“Students are eager to embrace AI as a powerful tool for learning and want confidence that UCS is preparing them for an AI-driven future,” said Cory Widener, UCS Instructional Technology consultant.
“Our goal is to use AI to foster authentic learning and prepare future-ready graduates through safe, ethical, and equitable integration. We take a human-centered approach, empowering students to design, evaluate, and collaborate with AI to deepen their understanding of the world.”
Among the students that attended the conference was Anthony Kouzy, a junior at the Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies (GLK-UAIS).
“I hope that events like this will eventually help people be more comfortable with it and more open to the use of it,” said Kouzy.
“I primarily use Chat GPT and Notebook LM for biology to understand it better as I was never a science person,” Kouzy said. “It’s helpful for me to have AI create speed drills to help me study and solidify the learning – every time I get something wrong, it will either explain it or I will tell it to make a bank of what I’m struggling with for me to then study further on.”
Widener shared that the Teaching and Learning team is actively working to develop AI guidelines which would define the mission and vision for responsible AI integration within UCS.
“Bringing students and staff together allowed educators to hear firsthand how AI can positively impact learning. This shared experience fosters collaboration and ensures our approach to AI is intentional and future-focused,” Widener said.
“AI will be part of every student’s life, so we must prepare them confidently and thoughtfully for its role in education and beyond.”

Source: Utica Community Schools

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Superinetendent Robert Monroe