As the use of AI continues to grow and its capabilities continue to expand, education leaders across Tennessee and the nation are grappling with important questions: how to leverage AI to advance teaching and learning, how to use it to prepare students for an evolving workforce, and, importantly, how to do this while remaining grounded in research-based practice. Through research, partnerships, convenings, and innovation grants, SCORE is helping identify, test, and share approaches that can improve outcomes for students across the education-to-career continuum and better prepare them for economic success in a rapidly changing world.
SCORE AI Innovation Fund
Across Tennessee, education leaders, educators, and institutions are increasingly exploring and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen teaching and learning, improve operations, and better support students. SCORE has seen firsthand both the momentum behind this work and the demand for support to move promising ideas forward.
Many innovative approaches are coming from educators and education leaders who are closest to the work. What they often lack is not vision or creativity, but the time, capacity, and resources needed to test, refine, and scale those ideas. The SCORE AI Innovation Fund was created to help bridge that gap.
By investing in educator-led projects, SCORE is helping education leaders test and pilot AI-enabled solutions that address real challenges in K-12 and postsecondary education while generating practical insights that can benefit educators across Tennessee.
As projects move forward, participants will share what they learn to help inform educators and institutions across the state. Learn more about the fund and follow the progress of funded projects on the AI Innovation Fund page.
Aug. 20, 8 a.m.-Noon CT | Country Music Hall of Fame | Nashville, TN
AI in K-12 Education: Keeping Students at the Center
Join education leaders from across Tennessee along with national experts for a conversation about how AI could accelerate student outcomes and its anticipated impact on the future of teaching, learning, and student success.
This symposium will feature a dynamic mix of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and short-form spark sessions designed to elevate leading perspectives and practical examples from the field.
AI Resources
Integrating AI Into English Language Arts
October 28, 2025
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is advancing quickly, and Tennessee has an opportunity to lead the way in integrating it meaningfully into teaching and learning — starting with English language arts (ELA). Our memo examines how identifying the AI literacy skills and competencies that align with Tennessee’s ELA standards can help students build future-ready skills while supporting teachers with clear expectations and practical tools.
Tennessee Opportunity for AI in Education
June 6, 2025
As Tennessee begins discussions around what types of policies and supports are needed for artificial intelligence (AI) in education, it’s critical to better understand the trends among early-adopting educators as they pilot AI tools and evaluate the impact on student learning. This memo provides a set of recommendations to the state’s AI Advisory Council and is designed to help policy and education leaders reinforce Tennessee as an incubator of innovation that prepares students for careers of the future.
Unlocking AI: A Primer for Educators
September 24, 2024
As of fall 2023, more than half of all U.S. workers use artificial intelligence (AI) for work. The education field is no exception to this trend, as teachers explore ways AI can transform their work and help students learn. Despite the promise of this technology, nationally, over half of teachers have never used AI. This memo outlines two readily available tools for teachers to either dip a toe in the water or take a full-on first dive into AI to experience its possibilities and limitations.
Related Perspectives
SCORE and Playlab Launch the Tennessee AI Ecosystems Project
May 22, 2026 |
In partnership with Playlab and with support from Google.org, SCORE launched the Tennessee AI Ecosystems Project, a network of nine innovative Tennessee school districts and charter management organizations focused on shaping strategic, responsible, and effective AI implementation across Tennessee.
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Survey Findings Capture AI Use in Tennessee School Districts
June 13, 2025 |
How is AI being used by educators across Tennessee, and how many school districts are already implementing new practices as a result of AI being accessible? We decided to ask, and our survey offers some answers.
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The Data Are Rolling in: Emerging Research to Watch on AI in Education
May 1, 2025 | ,
As more educators adopt the use of artificial intelligence (AI), SCORE offers a look at some research we’ve reviewed on the use of AI in education.
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