Why the 2026 DLCS Summit matters more than ever
by JFYNetWorks
AI isn’t coming—it’s already here.
In classrooms across Massachusetts and beyond, educators are navigating a rapidly shifting landscape. Students are experimenting with AI tools. Districts are exploring policies. And teachers are asking an increasingly urgent question:
What does meaningful, responsible use of AI actually look like in practice?
If you’re like many educators we speak with, you’re already seeing this shift play out in real time.
That’s exactly the kind of question the upcoming Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Summit—hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education—is designed to explore.
Why this year’s DLCS Summit matters right now
The theme of this year’s event—Future Ready—couldn’t be more timely.
AI is reshaping not only how students access information, but how they think, create, and solve problems. At the same time, educators are being asked to align with evolving DLCS standards, integrate new tools thoughtfully, and ensure that all students—not just a few—have access to these opportunities.
It’s a lot.
And while there’s no shortage of tools or headlines, what’s often missing are practical, classroom-ready strategies that connect AI to real learning goals.
From awareness to application
- How AI can support deeper learning
- How to build transferable, durable skills
- How to integrate technology without losing the human side of teaching
That’s where gatherings like this summit become especially valuable—not just for awareness, but for application.
Where JFYNetWorks comes in
At JFYNetWorks, this is the work we’re already engaged in every day.
We partner with schools and districts to support student achievement in ELA and math—while also helping educators make sense of where AI fits into instruction. Our approach isn’t about chasing the latest tool. It’s about focusing on the skills students need to succeed, regardless of how technology evolves.
That’s the lens we’re bringing into the conversation at this year’s summit.
Workshop Spotlight: AI and the Future of Work
If you’re attending, we hope you’ll join our session:
“AI and the Future of Work: How to Prepare Students for Jobs That Don’t Yet Exist”
🕙 10:00 AM | 📍 Chandler Room
This session looks at how schools can move beyond tool-based conversations and instead focus on the skills that will matter most in an AI-driven world.
Participants will walk away with practical insights on:
- Connecting AI to real-world problem-solving
- Building computational thinking and media literacy
- Supporting ethical, responsible use of AI in the classroom
- Preparing students for a workforce that continues to evolve
Join us at the summit
Events like the DLCS Summit aren’t just about keeping up—they’re about stepping back, asking better questions, and moving forward with intention.
If you’ll be there, we’d welcome the opportunity to connect, share ideas, and learn from one another.
👉 Visit our DLCS Summit page to learn more or book a time to meet with our team.