(Idaho National Laboratory Press Release, March 26, 2026)
By Mckenzie Duncan, INL Communications
Idaho teachers leaned into artificial intelligence with a mix of curiosity and caution during a recent professional development session hosted by Idaho National Laboratory.
The training, “Teaching in the Age of AI,” brought elementary, middle and high school educators together to explore what AI is, what it can do, and how it could be used in the classroom. Their experience levels varied widely. Some arrived eager to experiment, while others were more reserved.
The opening message echoed a common refrain at INL: AI is not a future concept. It is already here, embedded in how we work, communicate and solve problems.
AI isn’t a future idea at INL, it’s already part of the daily workflow. Researchers use it to speed up nuclear and integrated energy projects, protect critical systems, make sense of huge amounts of data, and support digital engineering. Employees across the lab are also using AI for practical, everyday tasks like summarizing information, sparking ideas, automating routine work, and finding answers faster. By weaving AI into both scientific work and day‑to‑day operations, INL is building the skills and tools it needs to stay a national leader in innovation.
That expectation extends beyond research. It is becoming part of every profession students will enter. Yet the questions in the room were not about keeping pace with technology. They were about protecting what matters most: our future workforce and the critical thinking skills students need to succeed.
“If students can generate answers instantly, how do we protect critical thinking?” one teacher asked.
Another asked how to prevent AI from becoming a shortcut instead of a support tool. Others wanted to know how to set boundaries, write policies and put meaningful guardrails in place.
Integrity is a core value at INL. Challenging assumptions, testing ideas and asking hard questions is required because national security and energy innovation demand it.
That same spirit shaped the training discussions. Teachers were not dismissing AI; they were interrogating it. They wanted to know how to use it responsibly, ethically and effectively for their students.
INL leaders emphasize that AI does not replace expertise. It helps researchers process information more efficiently and focus on higher level problem solving. The same principle applies in the classroom. AI can assist with lesson planning, differentiation, assessment support and data analysis. It can save time and spark ideas. It cannot replace professional judgment, relationships with students or the ability to cultivate curiosity.
Throughout the session, teachers worked through real classroom scenarios. They practiced refining prompts, discussed academic integrity and explored educator-focused AI tools. An INL expert panel — featuring a statistician, communications specialist and staff scientist − demonstrated real-world applications of AI within their respective fields.
Responsible and trustworthy AI means protecting personal information, verifying AI-generated content and ensuring technology supports rather than replaces human decision-making. Those principles shaped every part of the training.
Pooja Pawar, INL K-12 STEM computer science and cybersecurity outreach specialist, orchestrated the training. She framed it not as a workshop but as an opportunity for professional empowerment.
“Empowering educators to use AI goes far beyond teaching a new tool,” Pawar said. “It’s about giving them the confidence to lead the next generation. When teachers feel confident, they spark curiosity, encourage bold thinking, and help students approach the future with responsibility and purpose. That confidence can transform a classroom and shape how students see their own potential.”
Her message was clear. Teachers should not feel behind with emerging AI technology and how to use in their classrooms. They should feel equipped.
Students are already interacting with AI tools. They need guidance. They need to know how to question what AI produces and use it ethically. When educators gain confidence and practical strategies, they strengthen instruction and prepare students for a workforce that expects AI literacy.
Today’s students could one day design safer nuclear reactors, strengthen cybersecurity systems or develop advanced energy technologies. Many of those careers will require working alongside AI.
The transformation influencing research at a national laboratory is also influencing instruction across Idaho. Educators who lean in now will help define how AI is used rather than react to it.
INL’s message to educators is simple: bring your questions, your challenges and your passion for doing what is right for students. Together, educators and experts can ensure students are not just using AI but thinking critically alongside it and preparing to lead in a world that demands both innovation and integrity.
If you are interested in this training, please email pooja.pawar@inl.gov for upcoming training opportunities.
About Idaho National Laboratory
Battelle Energy Alliance manages INL for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy. INL is the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development, and also performs research in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment. For more information, visit www.inl.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
