AI Leadership of School Administrators for the Development of Education in the Artificial Intelligence Era

Abstract

This article aims to analyze and present the concept of AI Leadership among school administrators as a conceptual framework for educational development in the artificial intelligence era. The study synthesizes literature on contemporary leadership, the application of artificial intelligence in education, and digital ethics to promote data-informed and human-centered strategic decision-making. The analysis indicates that AI leadership does not seek to replace humans with technology; rather,   it emphasizes collaboration between leaders and AI systems as thought partners to enhance the quality of educational administration and learning. The article identifies four key components of AI leadership in educational institutions: (1) AI literacy and digital competence, (2) ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence, (3) innovation and change management, and (4) human–AI collaboration. These components form the foundation of data-informed management and digital governance in schools. In addition, the article proposes practical institutional-level implication, including the establishment of clear AI visions and policies, the development of staff competencies aligns with the Digital Competence Framework for Educators (DigCompEdu), and the design of balanced mechanisms for human–AI collaboration. Collectively, these approaches aim to advance Thai education toward a high-quality, equitable, and adaptive learning system aligns with the dynamics of the artificial intelligence era.