Students have increasingly shown up to class in body but not in mind, going through the motions without any real investment in what’s happening in front of them.

“Students can compare AI-generated responses with their own, critique the logic, and identify bias or error,” he said. “This builds metacognition and discernment, two foundational skills that define lifelong learners.”

The issue isn’t that students are carrying small rectangular objects in their pockets. The problem is that these objects contain applications literally designed to create addiction. 

Today’s educational leaders are no longer expected to simply manage operations or ensure compliance—they must be adaptive, forward-thinking innovators equipped with the skills to lead learning communities through complex, evolving landscapes.