2025 NAIS Symposium on AI and the Future of Learning

December 4–5, 2025
Hilton Americas Houston and the George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston

Discover What’s Next for Education: 2025 NAIS Symposium on AI and the Future of Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we teach, learn, and lead. As a forward-thinking school leader, you’re invited to the NAIS Symposium on AI and the Future of Learning—a two-day summit designed to equip independent school professionals with the insights, tools, and connections to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Join leading voices in education and technology to explore how AI can empower educators, strengthen school systems, and enhance student learning. Through expert-led sessions, collaborative discussions, and practical demonstrations, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to lead your school into the future—ethically, strategically, and creatively.

More information, including schedule and speakers, coming soon!

Why Attend

• Explore transformative ideas at the intersection of education and AI.
• Engage with top thinkers in both independent schools and AI development.
• Learn practical applications of AI tools for teaching, administration, and strategy.
• Discuss pressing questions around ethics, equity, and the future of learning.
• Connect with peers navigating similar opportunities and challenges in their schools.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or already integrating it into your school, this symposium will deepen your understanding and expand your leadership capacity.

Who Should Attend

This event is designed for independent school leaders and educators across all roles. If you’re shaping strategy, guiding instruction, or leading innovation in your school, this symposium is for you.

Registration

• $1,495 per person 
• Includes all sessions, programming, hotel accommodation, and lunches.

Space is limited. Secure your spot and participate in this conversation shaping the future of learning.

Hotel Accommodations

Your registration fee includes the cost of your hotel room during the event. NAIS will reserve your hotel room at the Hilton Americas Hotel, located at 1600 Lamar St., Houston, TX, 77010, for arrival on Wednesday, December 3, and departure on Saturday, December 6. Please plan your trip accordingly. The check-in time is 3:00 PM CT and checkout time is 11:00 AM CT.  

Programming

Content will be divided into three tracks:

• Ethical Innovation and Inclusive Design

  • This track will include topics such as AI literacy, equitable access to technology, neurodivergence and accommodations, security and safety, and building inclusive communities while leveraging tech.

• Future-Ready Workforce and Adaptable Organizations

  • This track will include topics such as preparing students for future workplace skills and agentic AI, trends in higher education that impact K-12 schools, agile processes and protocols schools can adopt to deal with rapid change, and leveraging AI to support workflows and efficiency.

• Empowering Learning Through Tech

  • This track will include topics such as AI 101 for educators, curricular frameworks for humans vs. bots, teaching strategies for engagement/enrichment in the classroom, and successful ongoing professional development models.

Other Program Highlights

• Speed Innovating: These engaging sessions will highlight school practices through a “Speed Innovating” format in which schools pitch innovative practices for 15 minutes, three different times in an hour-long block. 
• AI Policy Lab: This lab will showcase ways schools have provided guidance around AI use, and then give attendees time to write or refine their own policies. 
• Dialogue by Design: This interactive session will use design-thinking principles to crowdsource top insights. Attendees will surface key ideas, and in-the-moment expert panels will turn them into clear takeaways and actionable next steps.

Schedule

All times CT. This schedule will be updated and is subject to change.

Bring Your Students: AI Programming for the Next Generation

NAIS is pleased to partner with Close Up and the Stanford University Deliberative Democracy Lab to offer a concurrent, immersive experience for high school students.

From Classrooms to Careers: How AI Is Shaping Our Paths
December 3–6, 2025
Houston

Close Up, NAIS, and the Stanford University Deliberative Democracy Lab invite students to critically examine the role of AI in their lives and future careers in this NextGen Roundtable. Through expert panels, facilitated discussions, and consensus-building activities, students will develop the skills and confidence to lead meaningful conversations on campus and beyond.

This student experience is designed to complement the NAIS Symposium on AI and the Future of Learning, making it an ideal opportunity for school leaders and chaperones to participate in both programs during the same time frame.

Registration for the student program is available through our partners at Close Up. Learn more and register students here.