Navigating the Future of Adult Education with Artificial Intelligence
Lead, Equip, and Empower. The central destination for adult learners, educators, and leaders to discover cutting-edge AI tools, professional development, and practical applications tailored for adult education.
Awareness → Exploration → Learning → Application → Implementation → Scale
COABE is Leading the AI Transformation in Adult Education
COABE has been at the forefront of helping the adult education field understand, evaluate, and responsibly adopt artificial intelligence. Our work has evolved from early awareness and exploration to hands-on professional development, national partnerships, credentials, research, and implementation support.
Expanding Access Through
National Partnerships
Building Awareness and Exploring AI
Since 2022, COABE has led the integration of Artificial Intelligence in adult education through a progressive series of initiatives, training, and partnerships:
Pioneering Discussions (2022–2023)
Introduced AI to the adult education field through national webinars and dedicated sessions at the COABE National Conference and Digital Inclusion Week.
Targeted Training & Resources (2023)
Launched the highly popular AI in Adult Education Bootcamp (yielding a published white paper on its findings) and distributed broad guidance on the ethical and responsible use of AI.
National Partnerships & Leadership (2024-2025)
Scaled access by co-launching a highly popular Google AI microcredential, training over 4,000 participants through an IBM SkillsBuild partnership, and representing the adult education perspective at a U.S. Department of Education listening session.
Learn TogEther
Events & webinars
COABE's next phase of AI leadership is focused on helping adult education professionals move beyond simply understanding AI to responsibly and practically implementing it in instruction, administration, workforce preparation, and learner services.
SEP
02
Exploring the AI Leadership Academy: Practical AI Implementation for Adult Education Leaders
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming education—but where should adult education leaders begin? Join COABE for an interactive preview of the AI Leadership Academy, a hands-on professional learning experience designed specifically for adult education administrators, directors, and state leaders. During this webinar, you'll discover practical strategies for leading AI adoption in your program, building staff confidence, developing thoughtful AI policies, and identifying high-impact opportunities to improve instruction, operations, and learner success.
OCT
06
OCT
15
AI Leadership Academy for Administrators — Thursday, October 15–December 14, 2026
COABE will offer an intensive professional learning experience designed specifically for adult education administrators. Participants will apply AI to an authentic administrative or programmatic priority and develop a practical resource that can be implemented, evaluated, and improved within their organizations. $350 Registration fee.
THE SIGNAL
What's shaping AI + education
Research and policy developments, translated into the questions that matter for adult education.
SANTA FE COLLEGE • FL | OCT 19, 2026
AI learning lab
and teacher support
Santa Fe College announced a five-year AI initiative supported by a $3 million federal grant. Plans include a student learning lab, faculty development academy and responsible-use guidance, with access for rural and online students. Adult education programs could adapt its coordinated approach to staff training, learner access and governance.
ROCKLAND CC • NY | OCT 22, 2026
AI training across
a college community
Rockland Community College received a $3 million grant for its five-year Artificial Intelligence for Momentum initiative. The project will support AI literacy, staff development and student support systems. Adult education leaders could draw on its phased approach to training and evaluation while distinguishing planned activities from demonstrated improvements in student outcomes.
MARK CUBAN FOUNDATION • IN | OCT 19, 2026
Adult learners build
AI agents for work
The Mark Cuban Foundation announced a free five-day Agentic AI Academy at Ivy Tech Bloomington for October 19–23. Designed for adults without technical experience, the pilot focused on building agents for workplace tasks. Adult educators could adapt its job-focused model for supervised practice, career planning and evaluating AI outputs.
CERTIFICATION
AI skills-building opportunities for COABE teachers, administrators, and adult learners.
Practical, people-first certificate programs for every role in adult education.
The American Institutes for Research is seeking ideas about how AI is being used or explored to help people build skills, navigate careers, find jobs, and access the support they need to succeed. We’re looking for promising concepts, tools, and approaches that can help us learn what works in practice and where more evidence is needed. The insights applicants share will inform a second phase of funded partnerships with the field and shape how we approach our strategy.
Submissions due: October 2, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET
We are asking adults across the United States how they use and think about generative AI. You do not need to have used generative AI to participate. This survey takes about 5-7 minutes to complete.