BURLINGTON — Superintendent Eric Conti is proud to announce that Burlington High School students Shayla Ruiz and Kanika Agarwala, and Director of Career Pathways Shereen Tyrrell, have been selected to represent Massachusetts at the 2026 America’s Youth AI Festival.
The festival will take place on July 17–19, in Boston and Cambridge, and is part of the nation’s 250th celebration. The event will be hosted by Day of AI, MIT Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE), the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, and AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
America’s Youth AI Festival is the first-of-its-kind national event focused on artificial intelligence, student leadership, and the future of education. The festival will bring together approximately 250 students, educators, and partners for a weekend of programming centered on AI literacy, civic engagement, and innovation. Events include student competitions, collaborative workshops, and presentations at leading institutions such as the MIT Museum and MIT Media Lab.
Burlington is one of just 50 districts nationwide selected to participate in the Leadership and Innovation Fellowship, which brings together two high school “Student Senators” from each state and 50 school system leaders for a three-day residency exploring the role of artificial intelligence in education and society.
During the festival, Ruiz and Agarwala will serve as Student Senators and collaborate with peers from across the country to deliberate and pass a proposed “National AI Policy” for public schools. This policy will be shared with a national network of more than 10,000 school leaders, ensuring that student perspectives play a meaningful role in shaping how artificial intelligence is used in schools in grades K-12.
In addition to student participation, Tyrrell will engage in workshops led by experts from MIT RAISE, Day of AI, and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. These sessions will focus on responsible and ethical AI implementation, as well as best practices for integrating technology into K–12 education.
Burlington’s participation in the festival reflects both its strong reputation in the technology integration space and Superintendent Conti’s leadership on the AASA Board of Directors over the past four years.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our students to contribute to a national conversation about the future of education and technology,” said Superintendent Conti. “I am proud to see Burlington represented at such a prestigious event and to support our students as they take on leadership roles on a national stage. As educators, we have a responsibility to be proactive rather than reactive, learning from how quickly social media transformed society. This work ensures we are preparing students thoughtfully and responsibly for the future.”
“Artificial intelligence is already shaping the world in which students are growing up,” said Jeff Riley, Executive Director of Day of AI. “This national class of Student Senators represents an extraordinary opportunity to listen to students not just as users of technology, but as leaders and problem-solvers.”
For more information, visit Day of AI’s website here.
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