# AI+Education Summit 2026: Future of Assessment in the Age of AI

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbH1P2yrhnw
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/cbH1P2yrhnw
Generated: 2026-02-19T18:12:53.318+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The 2026 AI+Education Summit focused on the 'Future of Assessment in the Age of AI,' featuring a discussion between Candace Thille (Stanford) and Jesse Sparks (ETS) about moving beyond standardized assessment to constructs that are socially, culturally, and responsibly responsive to what a student can truly learn and do in the AI era.

**Key Points:**
- The session addressed the critical issue of assessment in the age of AI, specifically focusing on developing 'responsible assessment' that measures what a student can actually do and learn.
- Candace Thille mentioned a collaboration between Stanford University and ETS Research Institute, stemming from discussions at a prior conference on January 29th.
- Thille argued that traditional assessment metrics like fairness, comparability, validity, and reliability (standardization) do not adequately work for creating socially, culturally, and responsibly responsive assessments in the AI era.
- Jesse Sparks confirmed that ETS is launching a new Center on Responsible AI for Assessment and Learning, with a white paper forthcoming in the next couple of months.
- The summit included panel discussions and breakout sessions covering readiness for the AI age and the skills that matter, with one breakout session focusing specifically on K-12 assessment and learning.
- Sparks encouraged attendees to connect afterward to continue discussions on potential collaborations and research opportunities, particularly regarding responsible AI in learning and assessment.
- The event concluded with the speakers inviting attendees to lunch.

![Screenshot at 00:01: Introduction slide for the panel featuring Candace Thille \(left\) from Stanford Accelerator for Learning and Jesse Sparks \(right\) from ETS Research Institute, titled 'Future of Assessment in the Age of AI' at the 2026 AI+Education Summit.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cbH1P2yrhnw/00-00-01.jpg)

**Context:** This video captures a segment from the 2026 AI+Education Summit, hosted by Stanford's Accelerator for Learning and the Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) institute. The discussion centers on the profound challenges and necessary evolution of educational assessment methods given the rapid advancements and integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into learning environments. Speakers Candace Thille, Faculty Director for Workforce and Adult Learning at Stanford, and Jesse Sparks, Research Director at ETS Research Institute, frame the conversation around shifting assessment paradigms.

## Detailed Analysis

The discussion opened with Candace Thille emphasizing the recurring theme of assessment in the context of AI. She referenced a prior full-day conference on January 29th that culminated in a collaboration between Stanford University and ETS to address the future of responsible assessment measurement in the AI era. Thille asserted that traditional assessment standards—fairness, comparability, validity, and reliability (standardization)—are insufficient for measuring what a student can truly do or learn when AI is prevalent. Jesse Sparks followed up, noting the positive energy from the recent meeting and announcing that ETS is launching a new Center on Responsible AI for Assessment and Learning, with a full white paper expected in the coming months. Sparks also detailed that the summit featured jam-packed panel sessions on readiness for the AI age and essential skills, including a specific breakout session on K-12 assessment. Sparks concluded by inviting ongoing conversation and collaboration on these themes.

### Summit Theme and Context

- The session focused on the 'Future of Assessment in the Age of AI' at the 2026 AI+Education Summit, organized by Stanford Accelerator for Learning and HAI.

### Critique of Traditional Assessment

- Candace Thille stated that traditional assessment constructs like standardization, fairness, comparability, validity, and reliability 'do not work' for creating socially, culturally, and responsibly responsive assessments in the AI era.

### Institutional Collaboration

- Thille highlighted a collaboration between Stanford and ETS Research Institute following a January 29th event dedicated to this topic.

### ETS Center Launch

- Jesse Sparks announced the launch of the ETS Center on Responsible AI for Assessment and Learning, with a white paper forthcoming.

### Summit Activities

- The meeting included panel discussions on AI readiness and skills, and a breakout session focusing on K-12 assessment and learning.

### Call to Action

- Sparks encouraged attendees to connect for future discussions and collaborations regarding responsible AI in education.

![Screenshot at 00:00: Title slide for the 2026 AI+Education Summit, indicating the event theme.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cbH1P2yrhnw/00-00-00.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:15: Candace Thille explaining the collaboration between Stanford and ETS regarding responsible assessment measurement.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cbH1P2yrhnw/00-00-15.jpg)
![Screenshot at 02:07: Jesse Sparks discussing the summit's jam-packed panel sessions and breakout sessions.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cbH1P2yrhnw/00-02-07.jpg)
![Screenshot at 02:53: Jesse Sparks detailing that ETS will be working on a white paper about responsible AI for assessment and learning.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cbH1P2yrhnw/00-02-53.jpg)
![Screenshot at 04:27: Candace Thille concluding her remarks and inviting attendees to lunch.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cbH1P2yrhnw/00-04-27.jpg)
