AI in Education Philanthropy: Navigating the 2025 Transition and Beyond 

As 2024 draws to a close, education philanthropy faces a watershed moment. With a presidential transition approaching and potential changes to federal AI policy looming, as well as the nomination of Linda McMahon to lead the Department of Education, philanthropic leaders must chart a course through unprecedented uncertainty. Their decisions in the coming months will help determine whether AI technologies narrow or widen educational inequities. 

The Current Landscape 

Recent data paints a striking picture of both progress and challenge. As my colleague Cathy Shaw and her team have found, while 59% of students regularly use AI tools, only about 40% of instructors and administrators do the same. This adoption gap is compounded by systemic challenges: 

• Half of students report stress from unstable internet access 

• Basic technology access remains a barrier for 25% of learners 

• 76% of institutions lack formal AI policies 

• Only 54% effectively communicate available support services 

The pace of change in AI education technology has accelerated dramatically. What once took years to become mainstream now transforms in months, creating both opportunities and risks for foundations and their grantees.  

The recent nomination of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education adds another dimension to this transition. Her emphasis on school choice and state-level control suggests philanthropy may need to play an even more crucial role in ensuring equitable access to AI-enabled education. While she has voiced support for technical education and apprenticeship programs, questions remain about federal support for AI infrastructure in education and for teacher training. 

Strategic Priorities for 2025 and Beyond 

In this rapidly evolving environment, three interconnected priorities emerge as crucial guideposts for navigating the road ahead: 

1. Building Resilient Infrastructure

With federal policy changes approaching, robust local and institutional capacity becomes paramount. As a group of Stanford researchers note, we need “structures that can adapt and evolve regardless of federal direction.” This means: 

• Supporting state-level AI education frameworks that transcend policy shifts 

• Funding teacher professional development that builds lasting capacity  

• Ensuring equitable access to AI tools through sustainable local programs 

• Maintaining international collaboration on AI safety standards 

2. Bridging Public-Private Innovation 

As federal roles potentially shift, philanthropy is uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge between public education needs and private sector capabilities. Key actions include: 

• Connecting public schools with private sector AI expertise 

• Supporting research on effective AI implementation 

• Fostering cross-state collaboration and knowledge sharing 

• Scaling successful local initiatives 

3. Protecting Core Educational Values

During this transition period, several key risks must be actively managed: 

• Model outputs that don’t reflect true cultural diversity 

• Focus on pedagogical effectiveness over efficiency 

• Addressing motivation and engagement challenges 

• Protecting against overreliance on AI 

Implications for Grantmaking 

The accelerating pace of change has implications for how foundations approach their grantmaking: 

• Grant cycles may need to become more flexible to respond to rapid technological shifts 

• Due diligence processes should assess grantees’ AI readiness and adaptability 

• Impact measurement frameworks must evolve to capture AI’s effects on equity 

• Multi-year grants should include flexibility for pivots as the landscape changes 

A Framework for Action 

Success in this environment requires strategies that can adapt to different policy scenarios while maintaining consistent progress toward educational goals: 

State-Level Focus 

Building strong relationships with state education leaders becomes paramount as policy authority potentially shifts. This involves not just supporting the development of state AI competency frameworks, but fostering a collaborative ecosystem that can thrive independently of federal direction. 

Public-Private Bridges 

The relationship between schools and technology companies needs careful cultivation to ensure it serves educational rather than purely commercial interests. Recent data showing nearly half of student AI users opting for paid solutions underscores the importance of ensuring accessibility. 

Equity Protection 

UNESCO emphasizes that deployment of AI in education “should be purposed to enhance human capacities and protect human rights.” This means: 

• Supporting public school infrastructure 

• Actively addressing growing digital divides 

• Promoting inclusive AI development 

• Focusing on underserved populations 

Looking Ahead 

The coming transition creates both urgency and opportunity for education philanthropy. Early 2025 will be crucial for establishing programs and partnerships that can weather policy changes while advancing educational equity. 

While federal policy may shift, education philanthropists’ core mission remains constant: ensuring that technological advances serve all students equitably. By focusing on building sustainable local capacity while remaining engaged in national and international dialogue, philanthropy can help education systems navigate this transition period successfully. 

The goal isn’t just to weather policy changes but to help shape an educational future where AI enhances rather than replaces human connection and learning. This requires maintaining a delicate balance between embracing innovation and protecting educational equity – a balance that philanthropy is uniquely positioned to help strike.