--- title: A Curious Talk About A Wildly Different Tool: St. Luke’s School Embraces Emerging Technologies description: St. Luke's Assistant Head of School for Academics shares how the SLS embraces emerging technologies and recaps its recent event, A Curious Conversation about AI in Education, with Conor Grennan, Dean of Students & Head of Generative AI at The NYU Stern Business School. image: https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/AI%20Blog%20Banner.png --- [![](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/logo-2025.png)](https://www.stlukesct.org/) [![SLS-Logo-2025-white](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/SLS-Logo-2025-white.png)](http://www.stlukesct.org/) ![blogleadingvoices banner.jpg](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hs-fs/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/blogleadingvoices%20%20banner.jpg?width=1000&name=blogleadingvoices%20%20banner.jpg "blogleadingvoices banner.jpg") [Inquire](https://stlukesct.myschoolapp.com/page/admissions/apply-to-sls/inquire-online) [Visit](https://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/visit-us) [Apply](https://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/apply-to-sls) # [A Curious Talk About A Wildly Different Tool: St. Luke’s School Embraces Emerging Technologies](https://blog.stlukesct.org/curioustalk) by [Liz Perry](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/liz-perry) ![Liz Perry: Assistant Head of School for Academics](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Perry_Elizabeth470-1.jpg) The New Canaan Library audience sat riveted as a conversation about using generative AI in education unfolded. Conducted by [Conor Grennan](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-chatgpt-ai-to-be-more-productive-2023-4), the Dean of Students and Head of Generative AI at The NYU Stern Business School, and [Abby Abbott](https://info.stlukesct.org/greatteachers), St. Luke’s Assistant Head of Upper School,  the discussion centered around the technology known as ChatGPT. Grennan, a St. Luke’s parent, described his journey from AI novice to aficionado and gave examples of how ChatGPT can help people in their personal and professional lives. He also emphasized the “almost non-existent” learning curve and observed that creative people are often better users of generative AI than techies. In addition to working with faculty and students at NYU, Grennan advises corporate leaders about AI’s extraordinary possibilities.  *Watch *[*A Curious Conversation About AI*](https://vimeo.com/876408557?share=copy&scrlybrkr=f6c2cf5f) As an educator, Abbott has been actively leveraging AI to develop curriculum and tailor lessons that maximize student engagement. Currently, she is using ChatGPT to help craft an ancient history textbook. “Generally, academia doesn’t welcome change,” Grennan said, complimenting St. Luke’s progressive handling of the new technology.  Abbott attributed St. Luke’s readiness to explore AI to early professional development, including a summer session with Grennan. Working with the school’s IT Department, academic leaders developed a two-pronged approach—prevention of the “bad” uses of AI tools (e.g., cheating) and full exploration of the “good” uses (infinite ways to enhance learning). Both Grennan and Abbott highlighted a shift in mindset, moving from initial fears about the impact of AI on student thinking and writing to a sense of curiosity: *This is a wildly different tool. How do we use it?* The St. Luke’s faculty continued their exploration of  AI and emerging technology at a workshop led by [Dr. John Spencer,](https://spencerauthor.com/ai-education/) who poses the question: “How do we do authentic learning in an age of smart machines?” Many teachers are also participating in a "professional learning community" dedicated to AI and education. It's essential that educators everywhere explore the potential of emerging technologies in order to prepare our students to thrive now and into the future.    More from Liz Perry: [Prepare to Thrive in High School: Four Skills to Build in Middle School](https://blog.stlukesct.org/preparetothriveinhs) [Moving Forward, Slowly, Slowly](https://blog.stlukesct.org/admissiontips-0) [How Not to Lose Your Mind (or Morals) Over College Admissions](https://blog.stlukesct.org/collegeadmissions) [Teens and Sleep: Every Minute Matters](https://blog.stlukesct.org/teensandsleep) [Parenting Teens: Anybody Have a Map?](https://blog.stlukesct.org/parenting-teens) - - - - [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2035825/1af3d79f-83fb-4689-adfb-e4ee4b84cc88.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2035825/1af3d79f-83fb-4689-adfb-e4ee4b84cc88)     ## Leave a comment ### Get our latest blog posts! ![Liz Perry: Assistant Head of School for Academics](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Perry_Elizabeth470-1.jpg) [Liz Perry](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/liz-perry) Liz Perry is St. Luke's Assistant Head of School for Academics. She chairs the Upper School Academic Council and is a member of the Equity Leadership Team and the Faculty Growth and Renewal Team. Liz empowers her team to be bold and creative as they inspire deeper, student-centered learning. Prior to joining St. Luke's in 2013, Liz taught English and was the Director of Educational Design and Innovation at The Berkeley Carroll School in Brooklyn, NY, where she was the recipient of the John Reidy Award for outstanding contributions. Before that, Liz was an English teacher, working at Escola Graduada de São Paulo (the American School of São Paulo, Brazil), The Brimmer and May School in Boston, and Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Liz also serves on the faculty of the Klingenstein Center, part of Teachers College at Columbia University. ![profile_icon.png](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hs-fs/hubfs/profile_icon.png?width=200&height=200&name=profile_icon.png) ### By Author - [Amber Berry: Former Head of Middle School ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/amber-berry) - [Beth Yavenditti: Director of Global Education ( 3 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/beth-yavenditti-director-of-global-education) - [Carrie Meatto: Spanish Teacher ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/carrie-meatto-spanish-teacher) - [Daphne Teittinen-Schreck: ESS Director ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/daphne-teittinen-schreck-ess-director) - [Dr. Jason Haynes: History Chair ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/dr-jason-haynes-history-chair) - [Dr. Stephanie Bramlett: Former Director of Inclusive Excellence ( 2 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/dr-stephanie-bramlett-former-director-of-inclusive-excellence) - [Gareth Fancher: Director of Emotional Intelligence ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/gareth-fancher-director-of-emotional-intelligence) - [Georgia Rosenberg '19: Student ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/georgia-rosenberg-19-student) - [Hunter Martin: Summer Program Director ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/hunter-martin-summer-program-director) - [Jacqueline Nelson: Director of Equity and Inclusion ( 4 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jacqueline-nelson-director-of-equity-and-inclusion) - [Jane Olsen: Fifth Grade Teacher (retired) ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jane-olsen) - [Jason Giffen: Director of Enrollment Management ( 4 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jason-giffen-director-of-enrollment-management) - [Jessie Samuel, Fifth Grade Science Teacher ( 1 )](https://blog.stlukesct.org/author/jessie-samuel-fifth-grade-science-teacher) - [Jim Foley: Asst. 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Every Word Counts](https://blog.stlukesct.org/everywordcounts) ![Jacqueline Nelson: Director of Equity and Inclusion](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Nelson_Jaci.jpeg) By [Jacqueline Nelson: Director of Equity and Inclusion](https://blog.stlukesct.org/everywordcounts/author/jacqueline-nelson-director-of-equity-and-inclusion) [![The Best of Our Human Instincts](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Hubspot%20Blog%20Banner%201200x300%20(2).png)](https://blog.stlukesct.org/bestofourhumaninstincts) ### [The Best of Our Human Instincts](https://blog.stlukesct.org/bestofourhumaninstincts) ![Jacqueline Nelson: Director of Equity and Inclusion](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/Nelson_Jaci.jpeg) By [Jacqueline Nelson: Director of Equity and Inclusion](https://blog.stlukesct.org/bestofourhumaninstincts/author/jacqueline-nelson-director-of-equity-and-inclusion) - [REQUEST MORE INFO](https://info.stlukesct.org/get-started) - [Come Visit Us](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/visit-us) - [Apply Now](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/apply-to-sls) - [Make a Gift Today](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/community/giving-at-st-lukes) - [![Facebook](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/Facebook.png)](http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Lukes-School/44751060933) - [![instagram](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/Instagram.png)](http://instagram.com/stlukesct) - [![twitter](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/Twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/stlukesschool) - [![youtube](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/YouTube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/stlukes377/featured) - [![pinterest](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/Pinterest.png)](https://www.pinterest.com/stlukesct/) - [![linkedin](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/LinkedIn.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/st--luke%27s-school) St. Luke’s School is a secular private school in New Canaan, Connecticut for grades 5 through 12 serving 25 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our rigorous programs and diverse co-educational community strive for excellence, fostering students intellectual and ethical development and preparing them for top colleges. St. Luke’s balanced, multi-dimensional experience provides students with the tools they need for leadership and service in the world. ![St. Luke's Logo and Contact Block](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/footer%20Logo.png) - [377 North Wilton Road New Canaan, CT 06840](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/377+N+Wilton+Rd,+New+Canaan,+CT+06840) - [(203) 966-5612](tel:(203)%20966-5612) - [info@stlukesct.org](mailto:info@stlukesct.org) - [**Contact Us**](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/facultystaff-directory) - [![NAIS](https://blog.stlukesct.org/hubfs/StLukesSchoolDec2016/image/NAIS.png)](http://www.nais.org/Pages/default.aspx) Open Sitemap - [Admissions](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions) - [Welcome](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/welcome) - [Visit Us](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/visit-us) - [Apply to SLS](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/apply-to-sls) - [FAQs](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/faqs) - [Tuition & Financial Aid](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/admissions/tuition--financial-aid) - [Academics](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics) - [Love of Learning](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/love-of-learning) - [Curriculum](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/curriculum) - [Middle School](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/middle-school) - [Upper School](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/upper-school) - [Academic Resources](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/academic-resources/advisory-program) - [Learning & Technology](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/learning--technology) - [College Counseling](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/academics/college-counseling) - [Center for Leadership](http://www.stlukesct.org/page/center-for-leadership/find-your-voice-make-a-difference-) - [Find your voice. 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