Evergreen to Host Community Summit on Generative AI | August 17

Beyond the Bot: Fostering Career-Connected Learning Amidst the Realities of Generative AI

How might our community work together to help students make informed choices about generative AI as they move from education to career? 

Why We’re Gathering 

We are all—students, educators, local employers, and community partners—in a profound process of meaning-making about generative AI. We are grappling with understanding conflicting narratives about the value and implications of this new technology. One thing is clear: these tools have the potential to dramatically change how we learn, work, and solve problems in our community. This moment calls for clarity of purpose as we face a future where generative AI will be embedded in many aspects of students’ educational and career journeys. 

Keynote Presentation 

We are honored to welcome Joni Gutierrez, Ph.D., and Ronald Lethcoe, M.Ed., authors of Eight Essential Principles model for Human-Centered Learning in the Age of AI. Their framework provides a vital anchor for our community conversations, helping us move beyond technical “how-tos” toward a values-informed approach to technology. 

An Invitation to Dialogue 

This summit is an invitation to step away from the noise of “tools training” and “cheating crackdowns” to engage in a human-centered dialogue. By grounding our understanding of generative AI in socially-conscious frameworks and real-world workforce needs, we aim to build a shared language of learning and a supportive community of practice. 

Whether you are an educator, a local business owner, or a community partner, your voice is essential. Together, we will explore how to cultivate a future where technology serves human agency and helps every member of our community reach their goals with integrity. 

Who Should Attend 

We invite Washington State educators from every stage of the student journey—elementary, middle, and high schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions—alongside local businesses and community partners who will employ them. Whether you are an AI early adopter, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, all of our voices are needed to shape this conversation. 

📅 Monday, August 17, 2026

🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

📍The Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW | Evans Hall 4300