CUNY-Chile AI Education Workshop Advances K-12 Teacher Development

The CUNY-Chile AI in Education Professional Development Workshop, held from January 12-15, 2026, at Guttman Community College, represents a significant international effort to integrate artificial intelligence ethically and effectively into K-12 education. This four-day intensive program brought together 22 K–12 educators from Colina, Chile, to New York, providing them with hands-on training and pedagogical strategies for leveraging generative AI in their classrooms.

The workshop was a collaborative initiative, spearheaded by CUNY Central’s Computing Integrated Teacher Education (CITE) program and the Don’t AI Alone working group, with crucial sponsorship from the Mayor’s Office of Colina, Chile. A diverse faculty team from York College, the College of Staten Island, and Kingsborough Community College facilitated the sessions. Key topics covered included AI ethics, creative computing, robotics, the development of custom chatbots, and culturally responsive methods for integrating these emerging technologies into K-12 curricula.

A distinctive element of the program was its maker-centered approach. York College’s Teacher Education Makerspace was transported to Guttman Community College, transforming the venue into an interactive learning environment. This setup, equipped with laptops, robotics kits, games, and various hands-on tools, facilitated collaborative and experiential AI activities, moving beyond theoretical discussions to practical application.

The initiative also provided valuable professional learning opportunities for York College students. Teacher candidates Chelsea Sandoval, Christian Ramos, and Sebastian Rodriguez served as bilingual facilitators and learning assistants. Their roles encompassed translation, supporting small-group collaborations, assisting with instructional activities, and managing daily logistics, offering them meaningful real-world experience in an international educational context.

The workshop fostered strong human connections and cultural exchange, highlighted by a multilingual welcome and a closing celebration where Chilean educators performed a traditional cueca dance, inviting CUNY faculty and students to participate. This cultural reciprocity underscored the collaborative spirit of the program.

Looking forward, the CUNY-Chile AI collaboration is envisioned as an ongoing partnership, with plans already underway for another delegation of Chilean educators to visit CUNY next year. This sustained engagement reflects York College’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and outward-facing academic work. The institutional support, including continued investment in York’s Makerspace by CUNY Central and York College, along with upcoming earmark funding, is crucial for expanding this work in technology-enhanced teacher preparation, community engagement, and international collaboration. This model serves as a blueprint for global efforts to prepare educators for the AI-driven future.