Operational AI in Education: Readiness, Realities, and the Road Ahead

Reports on Artificial Intelligence usage in K-12 tend to focus on strategies to leverage AI for teaching and learning, students’ and teachers’ academic readiness to effectively use AI, or the challenges AI poses in evaluating students’ homework. Based on survey responses from 281 CoSN members, this report addresses AI use in operational areas of education such as HR, finance, facilities, and transportation. The short, 15-question survey was conducted from June 19 to July 18, 2025. Responses provide important insight into how CoSN members are using AI in their districts’ network environments. A large majority (72 percent) of districts report that AI is applied to just 10 percent or less of their network processes, and just 3 percent of districts use AI for more than half of their network operations.