Manitoba Hosts AI Summit to Shape Future of Education

This Friday, the Manitoba government will convene a summit focused on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. The event aims to gather hundreds of school leaders, researchers, and policymakers from across the province, marking a significant step in the government’s commitment to integrate AI responsibly in learning environments.

The initiative comes three years after the release of ChatGPT 3.5, during which the government pledged in its November 2025 throne speech to collaborate with educators, experts, and families to ensure that AI serves as a tool for learning rather than a replacement for traditional educational methods. As AI becomes more prevalent in classrooms, the urgency of this commitment is underscored by recent data showing that 73 percent of Canadian students utilize AI for schoolwork, with 25 percent doing so daily.

In the broader context, AI adoption is also increasing within the Canadian economy, with 12 percent of businesses employing AI—a figure that has doubled in just one year. This rapid growth presents challenges for educators, as many individuals—including teachers and the general public—struggle to accurately assess AI-generated content. A study revealed that only 36 percent of Canadians feel knowledgeable about the ethics of AI use, while a mere 7 percent of teachers classify themselves as AI experts, reflecting a significant gap in training and understanding.

Addressing this gap in AI literacy is crucial for both K-12 schools and universities. Educational institutions must equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in an AI-driven world, especially as exposure to AI content continues to rise. While there is a need for critical discussions surrounding privacy, intellectual property, and AI’s environmental impact, outright bans on AI have proven ineffective. Many educational institutions that attempted such measures quickly realized that evading the issue does not eliminate AI from the learning landscape.

Fortunately, Manitoba educators have already begun to advance AI literacy. This fall, the Winnipeg School Division introduced an AI thinking framework that encourages teachers, students, and families to consider how to integrate AI within the core goals of education. Similarly, the Lakeshore School Division has implemented policies promoting responsible AI use since 2023.

Over the past year, numerous educators and university instructors have engaged in rethinking assessment strategies to better align with the realities of AI. Notably, faculty members at the University of Winnipeg and other institutions are conducting research on AI and machine learning in various fields—including business, computer science, and healthcare—to understand how these tools can enhance community well-being while ensuring student safety.

Reflecting on past successes, Manitoba Education released a guiding policy document two decades ago that focused on assessment as a complex and ongoing process. This framework inspired other provinces to develop their own assessment guidelines. Today, there is an opportunity for the Manitoba government to exhibit similar leadership in navigating assessments in the age of AI.

As K-12 teachers and institutions face the dual challenge and opportunity of supporting students in an AI-enriched environment, the upcoming summit will likely yield critical discussions and insights. However, the path toward lasting change will require sustained support, resource allocation, and access to professional development tailored for Manitoba’s unique context.

The opportunity for Manitoba to lead in AI education is clear, and the summit could serve as a pivotal moment for shaping the province’s educational landscape in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.