Embracing AI in Education: Our Philosophy and Future Vision for Supporting Deeper Learning

Learn about Defined's AI philosophy, centered around amplifying human potential, not replacing it. Also, read about several AI-powered enhancements that will roll out next year, designed to make career-connected learning even more personalized and impactful.

As we celebrate National AI Literacy Day on March 28th, it's the perfect time to reflect on the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in education. At Defined, we're committed to harnessing AI's potential to enhance learning experiences while maintaining our core values of equity, transparency, and educator empowerment.

Our AI Philosophy: Education-First, Human-Centered

Our approach to AI integration is guided by a simple principle: technology should amplify human potential, not replace it. We believe AI tools in education should:

• Support, not supplant: AI serves as a powerful assistant, but the expertise, judgment, and personal connections that educators provide remain irreplaceable.
• Expand opportunity for all students: By personalizing learning and freeing educators from repetitive tasks, AI can help more students get the support they need to succeed.
• Maintain transparency: Users should always know when and how AI is being utilized in their educational experience.
• Protect privacy: We adhere to strict PII data protection standards, ensuring that student information remains secure and private. PII is never sent to external models.
• Empower human decision-making: While AI can provide valuable insights and recommendations, final educational decisions always remain with educators and administrators.
• Engage Students: AI brings the creative power to meet students where they are—making learning more relevant, personalized, and accessible.

For a deeper understanding of our commitment to responsible AI use, we encourage you to review our complete AI Policy for Educational Services.

Coming in the 2025/2026 School Year: AI-Enhanced Features

We're excited to announce several AI-powered enhancements that will roll out next year, designed to make career-connected learning even more personalized and impactful:

For Educators: Enhanced Project Customization

Soon, educators will be able to leverage AI to customize performance tasks and projects with unprecedented ease and precision. This new functionality will:

• Generate differentiated versions of existing projects tailored to various learning levels
• Adapt content to address specific student needs while maintaining alignment with learning objectives
• Suggest modifications to make projects more accessible for diverse learners
• Provide alternative assessment options while preserving core learning goals

These tools will significantly reduce the time educators spend on customization, allowing more focus on instruction and student engagement.

For Students: AI-Powered Career Skill Development

Students will benefit from new AI-driven tools designed to build essential workplace readiness:

• Mock Interview Simulations: Students can practice interview skills with AI-driven scenarios that provide real-time feedback on communication, content, and presentation
• Career Skill Coaching: Personalized guidance on developing essential workplace competencies based on student performance in projects and virtual internships
• Virtual Internships: AI-enhanced internships give students an immersive and interactive experience with mentorship-like support across all career clusters helping to create workforce-ready students.

Balancing Innovation with Responsibility

As we integrate these new features, we remain committed to ethical AI use. Our comprehensive AI policy ensures that:

• No personally identifiable information is shared with third-party AI systems
• Users can opt out of AI-driven features when preferred
• Regular audits confirm AI systems operate fairly and accurately
• Feedback mechanisms allow users to report concerns

Looking Forward

The future of education isn't about replacing human connections with technology—it's about using technology to deepen those connections and create more meaningful learning experiences. AI gives us powerful tools to personalize learning, provide timely feedback, and help students discover career paths that align with their unique talents and interests.

As we continue developing these new features, we invite educators to share their thoughts and suggestions. Our most valuable insights always come from the dedicated professionals who use our tools every day in their classrooms. Stay tuned for live demos of these exciting new features during our Back to School webinar this fall, where we'll showcase how these AI-powered tools can enhance your teaching and your students' learning experiences.

Together, we can harness AI's potential to create deeper, more connected learning experiences that prepare all students for future success.

About the Author

Lisa Wolf serves as the Vice President of Product and Marketing at Defined, bringing over 2 decades of experience in education to her role. She leads the development efforts of authentic, career-focused learning products that connect classroom content to real-world experiences. Previously, Lisa worked at ACT in assessment development and client relations and began her career as a high school math teacher. She holds a BS in mathematics and an MS in educational leadership and is passionate about preparing students for future success through career-connected, deeper learning.