An exclusive in-person event for school leaders across Atlanta and around the world. Moving beyond the headlines to build a responsible, sustainable AI strategy.
The series
What is The Educators' AI Playbook?
The Educators' AI Playbook began as a monthly, one-hour digital briefing for school leaders and educators. Hosted by Mark Orchison (CEO, 9ine) and Dan Fitzpatrick (The AI Educator), these sessions provide a concise run-through of the month's most critical AI updates, legislative changes and tool breakthroughs.
Playbook LIVE takes that foundational knowledge and scales it into a one-day immersive conference, moving beyond the 'digest' format to provide a high-impact orientation that shifts your mindset from simply keeping up to leading forward.
Built for Heads of School, IT Directors, Innovation Leads and senior leadership teams at independent schools who are ready to move from AI discovery to a governed, sustainable strategy.
Why attend
The right people, having the right conversation about AI in independent schools
Vision to velocity
Move past 'AI paralysis' to practical action, balancing innovation with the realities of school impact and accreditation.
Future-proof accreditation
Engage with accreditation leaders from North America and leading global accreditation commissions to define what good AI looks like in schools.
The human advantage
Turn AI into a trusted teammate. Automate administrative burdens to reclaim time for what matters: mentorship and connection.
Your practical toolkit
Build, don’t just listen. Walk away with roadmaps, vendor evaluation guides and workflows you can adapt for your school.
Global peer network
Join a community of forward-thinking leaders from Atlanta and around the world to share honest reflections and build a support network.
Agenda
One day, structured around leading forward
Grab a coffee and connect with fellow school leaders before the day begins.
Setting the stage and shifting the day's mindset from keeping up to leading forward.
Practical, evidence-based frameworks for moving from AI encouragement to genuine institutional expectation — and the defensible decisions that hold it together.
A human-centred approach to navigating AI uncertainty — from a futurist and former Apple education executive on turning ambiguity into intentional, sustainable action.
Grab a coffee and join a short briefing from our premier partner on the latest AI features within their platform.
How global accreditation bodies are evolving their standards in the age of AI — and what that means for your school's strategy today.
An essential briefing on the intersection of AI, online harms and the child protection responsibilities every school must navigate.
Grab lunch and rotate through themed micro-sessions: vendor vetting, teacher-first AI roadmaps, AI-supported literacy, and student perspectives on AI.
A high-stakes scenario game navigating real-world AI challenges as a school 'Crisis Council' — facial recognition, AI-generated grading disputes, and more.
A candid conversation on the future of learning with AI companies as genuine partners — not just vendors — shaping what comes next.
Choose your track: burnout and wellness, AI governance frameworks, restoring humanity through automation, vendor evaluation in practice, or student AI perspectives.
A rapid-fire consolidation of the day's strategy and insights, followed by informal networking and reflection.
Speaker line-up
Hear from leaders across education, accreditation and technology.
Dan Fitzpatrick
Global authority on AI in education; has shaped national AI guidance for the UK and schools globally. Bestselling author and weekly Forbes contributor.
LinkedIn
Mark Orchison
Over 20 years' experience helping schools navigate technology, cyber, privacy and safeguarding, and a leading voice in K-12 education governance.
LinkedIn
Dr. Sabba Quidwai
Futurist and lecturer at UC Irvine; former Apple education executive researching AI and learning since 2014.
LinkedIn
Laura Light
Executive Director of the Association for the Advancement of International Education, championing global professional development for school leaders worldwide.
Jane Larsson
Executive Director of the Council of International Schools, driving global quality standards for international education across 170 countries.
Barry Groves
Stanford-educated leader overseeing accreditation of over 5,500 schools globally, with 15,000 peer volunteers.
Cam Staples
President and CEO of NEASC, one of the oldest and most prestigious regional accrediting associations in the United States.
Dr. Brett Jacobsen
President of the Southern Association of Independent Schools, serving over 200 member schools across six southeastern states.
8 speakers. One day. One room in Atlanta.
Early Bird pricing and allocation are both capped — secure your place now.
What past attendees say
From previous Playbook LIVE sessions
"The first practical AI event I've been to that treated governance and innovation as the same conversation, not a trade-off. Left with an actual plan, not just inspiration."
"Having accreditation leaders in the room changed the conversation entirely, we could ask directly what 'good' looks like instead of guessing."
"I brought my Head of School and our IT lead together, three of us left with the same plan instead of three different interpretations of what we'd heard."
Venue, travel and helpful details
VenueGrand Hyatt Buckhead, 3300 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
DateSaturday 30 January 2027, 8:00am–4:45pm
FormatFull-day event, including a working lunch and afternoon breakout sessions. Business casual attire, with a networking reception after the closing session.
Getting thereThe Grand Hyatt Buckhead is located in the heart of Atlanta's Buckhead district. The nearest MARTA station is Buckhead Station (Gold Line), a short walk away. Flying in? Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is approximately 30–45 minutes by car or MARTA.
Where to stayA short list of nearby hotels in the Buckhead area will be shared with your ticket confirmation.
AccessibilityNeed a dietary or accessibility accommodation? Let us know at events@9ine.com and we'll take care of it.
Secure your place
For verified members of AAIE, CIS, WASC, NEASC, SAIS, ISAS or SAES, and current 9ine, Veracross or Toddle clients.
- Full-day access to all sessions
- Working lunch & refreshments
- Closing networking reception
For schools not eligible for Early Bird, or where Early Bird allocation has sold out.
- Full-day access to all sessions
- Working lunch & refreshments
- Closing networking reception
For vendors and commercial organisations attending alongside school leaders.
- Full-day access to all sessions
- Working lunch & refreshments
- Closing networking reception
Bringing your leadership team? Group rates are available for 5+ attendees from the same school.
Ask about group rates →Still building your case internally?
Grab the info pack
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FAQs
Good to know before you book
Early Bird is exclusively available to verified members of AAIE, CIS, WASC, NEASC, SAIS, ISAS or SAES, and current clients of 9ine, Veracross or Toddle. Eligibility is checked during registration, and ineligible bookings will be cancelled.
No. Playbook LIVE is ticketed separately and open to all eligible attendees, whether or not you are also attending AAIE 2027.
Yes. Email the events team and we'll hold your place while your school's purchase order or invoice is arranged.
Full-day access to all sessions, a working lunch, refreshments throughout the day, and the closing networking reception.
This is an in-person, non-recorded intensive. Selected keynote highlights may be shared afterwards.
Transfers: you may nominate another suitable attendee from your organisation. Refunds: 30+ days before the event, refunds are issued less platform/payment fees; within 14 days, tickets are non-refundable.
Yes, and we'd encourage it. Group rates apply for 3 or more attendees from the same school; contact the events team to arrange.
Full travel and parking guidance for the Grand Hyatt Buckhead will be sent with your confirmation email closer to the date.
If you can no longer attend, you may nominate another suitable attendee from your organisation.
30+ days before the event, refunds are issued less platform/payment fees; within 14 days, tickets are non-refundable.
If 9ine cancels or materially postpones the event, ticket holders will be offered a refund or transfer.