Your AI Adoption Roadmap: A Quick Guide

In our previous blog, we explored the mindset shifts schools need to lead AI adoption without falling into the trap of hype. But mindset alone isn’t enough. Implementation matters. Schools are asking: Where do we begin? How do we move forward with intention, not impulse?

Based on our experiences at the TRC and in schools across the world, here’s a practical checklist to help guide your first steps. Whether you're just starting or already testing AI tools, these strategies are designed to build trust, ensure safety, and keep learning at the center.

1. Start Small and Pilot Purposefully

Before you go big, start small to learn what works in your unique environment.

• Resist the school-wide rollout. Choose one department or grade level for a low-risk pilot.
• Find your champions. Recruit a few enthusiastic volunteer teachers to test a tool.
• Gather proof of concept. Use the pilot to collect real feedback, build confidence, and demonstrate value before expanding.

2. Focus on Problems, Not Tools

Let genuine needs drive your decisions, not the latest trends.

• Ask the right question first: Before looking at any app, ask, “What specific challenge are we trying to solve?”
• Identify the pain points. Survey staff and students to find where they are struggling most.
• Choose for impact. Select a tool only if it directly addresses a real problem, like saving teacher time or providing students with faster feedback.

3. Build Trust Through Inclusion and Transparency

An AI initiative will only succeed with community buy-in.

• Form a diverse task force. Include teachers, administrators, and students in the
  conversation from the beginning.
• Draft guidelines together. Collaboratively create your AI policies to address concerns
  about academic integrity and data privacy head-on.
• Be radically transparent. Implement a simple, clear policy (like our "traffic light" system) so everyone knows the rules for using AI.

4. Keep the Human Element First

Remember that technology should serve people, not the other way around.

• Frame AI as an assistant. Reinforce that the goal is to enhance teaching, not replace
  teachers.
• Design for human skills. Craft assignments that require critical thinking, creativity, and personal reflection—things AI can't do.
• Make it a learning partner. Encourage students to use AI as a tool for improvement (like a first draft editor), then ask them to reflect on the process.

5. Vet Your Tools and Prioritize Safety

Protecting your students and their data is non-negotiable.

• Do your homework. Carefully review every tool for compliance with student data privacy laws.
• Get parental consent. Establish a clear process for informing parents and getting consent whenever student data is involved.
• Communicate your precautions. Show your community the steps you are taking to keep everyone safe. This builds immense trust.