Yesterday, I was honored to have been invited to attend the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education. Walking through the front door of The White House was a surreal moment that I will never forget.
Before the Meeting: History and Tradition
Before the meeting, I had the opportunity to explore areas of the White House steeped in great tradition and history. Each room told a story of American leadership and momentous decisions that shaped our nation. I was so excited to be experiencing that! The grandeur of the architecture and the weight of history in every corner made the experience even more meaningful.
The Meeting: Leaders in AI and Education
The meeting was led by First Lady Melania Trump and attended by an impressive group of leaders from both the private sector and government. The room was filled with CEOs from some of the world's most influential technology companies, including Microsoft, Google, IBM, and OpenAI.
Also present were several key government officials who are shaping policy at the intersection of AI and education:
- Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins
- Education Secretary Linda McMahon
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright
- Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer
- David Sacks, White House Special Advisor for AI and Crypto Czar
Other notable attendees included:
- Hayley Harrison, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady
- Robert Gabriel Jr., Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser
- Vince Haley, Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy
A Meaningful Conversation with the Secretary of Labor
I was particularly thankful to have had the opportunity to converse with the U.S. Secretary of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemer (she's the woman I took a selfie with in the photo below). I shared with her many of the AI initiatives I've been working on at Lone Star College and nationwide. It was encouraging to see her genuine interest in how AI is transforming workforce development and education at the community college level.
The Reception: Networking with Industry Leaders
After the meeting, I attended a reception where I had the opportunity to chat with many CEOs and White House officials. These informal conversations allowed for deeper discussions about the practical challenges and opportunities we face in implementing AI education at scale.
Critical Concerns I Raised
I met only a couple of former educators at the meeting. As far as I could tell, I was the only active educator present. This observation led me to share a few concerns with some of the White House leaders:
- Educator Voices Must Be Central: I stated that I think it's extremely important that not just politicians and CEOs guide AI adoption in educational systems, but that educators from all levels and disciplines need to play a large role. Teachers and professors who are in the classroom serving students daily need to have their voices heard. I was told that educators are involved, but primarily through the large teaching associations. While this is valuable, I emphasized the importance of including frontline educators who are implementing these changes in real-time.
- Higher Education Cannot Be Left Behind: The White House initiative focuses on K-12. While that is extremely important, I don't want to see higher education left out. I pointed out that we have college students graduating and entering the workforce, largely unprepared in terms of AI literacy. These students are stepping into jobs that increasingly require AI skills, yet many institutions are still catching up. Higher education must be part of this national conversation from the beginning, not as an afterthought.
The Path Forward: Promising Initiatives
Despite my concerns, I want to emphasize that many of the White House initiatives are excellent and will have a huge impact on the education of our students. Students and educators all need AI literacy, and many of these initiatives will ensure that happens. The commitment I saw from both government officials and industry leaders was genuine and substantial.
I encourage all my educator connections to get involved and ensure your students are prepared for the world they're stepping into, not a world that no longer exists.
A Commitment Beyond Politics
This opportunity represents a commitment to advancing AI education policy regardless of political affiliation. The future of AI in education is not a partisan issue—it's about ensuring every student, regardless of their background or the schools they attend, has access to the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an AI-augmented world.
Join the Movement
Whether you're an educator, administrator, or policy maker, your voice matters in shaping how AI transforms education. Let's work together to ensure this transformation is equitable, effective, and led by those who understand teaching and learning best.
Get InvolvedMoments from the White House
A collection of photos from this historic visit
Arrival — Beginning of an unforgettable experience
The White House — An iconic symbol of American democracy
Historic Grounds — Walking through history
Inside the White House — Exploring areas steeped in tradition
Presidential History — Rooms where decisions that shaped our nation were made
Halls of Power — The grandeur of White House architecture
Historic Rooms — Each space tells a story of American leadership
Architectural Detail — The craftsmanship of the White House
Before the Meeting — Preparing for the AI Education Task Force discussion
Ready to Engage — Moments before the historic meeting
Task Force Venue — Where education and technology leaders convened
The Meeting Space — Setting for crucial AI education policy discussions
With U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer — Discussing AI workforce development initiatives at Lone Star College and nationwide
Building Connections — Networking with fellow Task Force members
Engaging Leadership — Conversations that shape AI education policy
The Reception — Informal discussions with CEOs and White House officials
Policy Makers — Meeting with those shaping America's AI education future
Collaborative Discussion — Bringing educator perspectives to the table
Advocating for Educators — Ensuring teacher voices are heard in AI policy
Industry Leaders — With representatives from Microsoft, Google, IBM, and OpenAI
Task Force Members — A diverse group shaping AI education policy
Mission Accomplished — Leaving with renewed commitment to AI education
An Unforgettable Experience — A day that will shape AI education policy for years to come
Photos from the White House visit, October 6, 2025