Gateway AI in EDU Summit

Shawn McCusker is the Director of Teacher Programs at the Bill of Rights Institute, where he leads professional learning initiatives at the intersection of civic education, critical thinking, and inquiry-based instruction. At GAIL 2026, Shawn opens the day with the keynote — Rethinking AI's Dystopian Future: Education's Role in Shaping the Narrative — and returns in Round 2 to facilitate a session on using BRI inquiry frameworks to ground student thinking in the age of AI.Shawn has 25 years of experience in public, private, and alternative schools. He is the author of Becoming Active Citizens, winner of the 2022 Foreword INDIES Gold Award for Education.  He works with schools around the country to incorporate the skills necessary for students to thrive in a self-governing society. His work in technology integration has been featured in The Journal, Education Week, Educational Leadership, and The Huffington Post. A Golden Apple Award finalist (2006), Top Trailblazing Educator on Twitter (2016), and EdTech Digest EdTech Innovator Award finalist (2025), Shawn specializes in innovative instructional practices and supporting schools in underserved communities. He is a frequent keynote speaker and serves as Senior Consultant at EdTechTeacher and President-Elect of the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance.