In this thought-provoking conversation, Bob Hutchins sits down with Dr. Kris DeFilippis, a former K–12 educator turned NYU professor, to explore the collision of AI, education systems, and equity. With experience ranging from custodian to assistant superintendent, Kris brings a rare, ground-level and systems-wide perspective to what’s happening in schools as artificial intelligence gains traction.

They unpack the myth that AI is just a tool—and discuss how it may instead be a disruptive force demanding a full rethinking of how schools operate, assess, and serve. Kris shares candid reflections on how AI risks becoming a shortcut that bypasses meaningful equity work unless leaders adopt a mindset of epistemological humility and deep systems inquiry.

They also dig into real-world use cases, emerging policy gaps, and the paradoxical possibility that AI—if implemented wisely—could return us to the human core of education: agency, relationships, and community engagement.

🔍 Topics Covered:

The system-level tension AI is creating in public education

Why AI should not be treated as a neutral tool

The danger of automating existing inequities

Reframing assessment beyond regurgitation

Giving teachers and leaders time back for human-centered work

What transformation means vs. mere adoption

The myth of AI cheating and what it reveals about student motivation

Redefining educational leadership in the AI era

🧠 Key Quotes:

“If AI is giving you time back, use it to ask better questions—not just do more of the same.”

“AI can’t replace human judgment, but it will reflect it. So we better be sure we know what we’re putting in.”

“Equity isn’t a side hustle. It has to be embedded into how we implement every single thing—including AI.”

📌 Who It’s For: Superintendents, school leaders, policy-makers, professors, tech developers, and educators who want to engage AI thoughtfully, ethically, and systemically.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

NYU Educational Leadership & Policy programs

Rutgers Disproportionality & Equity Lab

21st Century Ed & https://pdgogy.ai/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-defilippis/