Danielle Robertson and Ramey Jones, two high school students from Springdale, will represent Arkansas this summer at a national summit focused on shaping K-12 artificial intelligence policy.
The students, selected through the School Superintendents Association 2026 Leadership and Innovation Fellowship, will travel to Massachusetts on July 17-19 for a series of events including the America’s Youth AI Festival. The festival is part of a broader initiative to engage students in developing a national framework for how artificial intelligence should be integrated into elementary and secondary education.
During the summit, Robertson and Jones will join student delegates from across the country at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, where they will meet in a full-scale replica of the U.S. Senate chamber. The experience is designed to simulate real legislative processes, allowing students to debate and draft components of a national AI education policy as “student senators.”
The trip is fully funded, according to a news release issued Tuesday by the Springdale Public Schools district. The district said the fellowship also includes site visits to institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, offering students exposure to leading-edge research and development in AI.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our students to engage in meaningful dialogue about one of the most pressing educational and technological issues of our time,” said a spokesperson for Springdale Public Schools.
Nationally, the initiative is part of a growing effort to involve young voices in technology policy-making, particularly as schools across the U.S. grapple with how best to regulate and utilize AI tools in classrooms. Arkansas is one of 25 states sending student delegates to the summit, with each state represented by a pair of high school students chosen for their academic achievement and leadership potential.
Robertson and Jones were selected based on their academic records and involvement in district programs that emphasize STEM and civic engagement. Both students attend Springdale high schools—Robertson at Springdale High School and Jones at Shiloh Christian High School—but were chosen through a districtwide application process coordinated by Springdale Public Schools.
Their participation marks the first time Arkansas has sent student representatives to the AI-focused fellowship, which has historically centered on leadership training and education policy. This year’s shift toward AI reflects a broader national concern about the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence in schools without corresponding policy guidance.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, 40% of school districts nationwide lack formal policies addressing AI use as of 2026. Arkansas is among 12 states that have begun drafting state-level guidelines, but no federal framework currently exists. The student delegates’ recommendations from the July summit will be presented to state education officials and may influence Arkansas’s ongoing policy development.
Local educators say the inclusion of high school students in the process is critical. “We’re talking about a generation that’s already using AI tools in their daily lives,” said Dr. Maria Sandoval, director of digital learning for Springdale Public Schools. “If we’re going to regulate it effectively, we need their perspective at the table.”
Robertson and Jones will be joined by adult mentors from the Arkansas Department of Education and the Springdale district during the three-day fellowship. In addition to attending panel discussions and policy workshops, the students will have the opportunity to network with peers from other states and present their findings at the closing session of the summit.
Their attendance comes during a period of increased focus on AI literacy in Arkansas public schools. Last month, the Arkansas Computer Science Education Initiative announced a pilot program to introduce AI ethics modules in 10th-grade curricula, beginning in the 2026-27 school year. Springdale Public Schools is one of five districts participating in the pilot.
For now, both students say they’re preparing by reviewing current AI education policies and consulting with teachers and local tech professionals. “We want to make sure Arkansas’s voice reflects not just caution but also opportunity,” said Jones in a statement provided by the district.
Robertson added, “There’s a lot of fear around AI, but also a lot of potential. We’re hoping to help shape something balanced.”
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
