ACTE Postsecondary CTE Summit 2026

In this session we will look at how career and technical education (CTE) programs are uniquely positioned to navigate the potential artificial intelligence (AI) driven economy. To assist CTE policymakers, educators, researchers and students looking for the signal amidst the noise, we propose a new pedagogical framework: the Applied Co-Intelligence (ACI) model. In this session, attendees will learn 1) what the ACI model is and how it moves beyond simple conception of AI literacy and is built on the purposeful integration of 2) three skill spheres: Technical skills, Transferable skills, and AI Mastery. Along with 3) the four primary barriers blocking its implementation - the alignment crisis, the human capital gap, the structural barriers, and the evidence gap. Finally, we will discuss 4) a stakeholder driven plan of action with recommendations for policymakers, education providers, and industry & employers.