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Students At The Forefront of AI

AI education at Newark Academy is experiential, reflective and student-driven. Through community events, hands-on learning and real-world engagement, students don’t just learn how AI works, they examine how it shapes and challenges the world around them. Above: Cate Estilo ’26 and Sophia Ha ’26 discuss the ethics of AI at the inaugural Student AI Summit organized by Newark Academy.

Newark Academy Students Lead First-Ever Student Artificial Intelligence Summit

On January 11, 2025, Newark Academy students launched the school’s first Student Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit, a student-led event designed to foster meaningful dialogue about AI’s role in society.

Hosted on NA’s campus, the Summit brought together more than 50 students from Newark Academy and other local independent schools for a day of presentations and breakout sessions led entirely by students. Participants explored how AI is shaping industries, raising ethical questions and opening new pathways for innovation.

Through conversations with alumni working in AI-related fields, students gained firsthand insight into emerging careers and the responsibilities that accompany AI-driven change. Read more.

“It is so important to foster conversations about AI among students, not just as users of the technology but as the future creators and decision-makers. I also believe events like this can spark curiosity and collaboration, encouraging students to think critically about the role AI will play in their lives and careers.”

— Cate Estilo ’26, President, Student AI Committee

Morning Meeting Activity: “Can You Spot the AI?”

Members of the Student AI Committee led a school-wide challenge during Morning Meeting: two images appeared on the screen — one real, one generated by AI — and the community was asked to determine which was authentic.

The activity sparked thoughtful discussion about media literacy, deepfakes and the growing difficulty of distinguishing between real and AI-generated content. Students examined how easily visuals can be manipulated and why critical evaluation is essential in an AI-driven world.

The real photo is B.

Middle Schoolers Dive Into Machine Learning

During the MS Co-period on April 2, 2026, eighth grade students explored how AI is trained using machine learning. Students worked with Quick Draw and Teachable Machine for a hands-on experiential learning experience.

NA TEDX Talk On AI

Ayanna Varma ’25 gives an NA TEDx talk, "Future-proof yourself: AI skills that will make you irreplaceable," which addresses artificial intelligence and how to build the mindset and skills that keep you ahead of the curve.