How I Used AI to Plan a Student Event – And Why Educators Should Consider It
When it comes to planning events for students, many educators proudly say, “I can do it myself.” And they’re right. Teachers are natural multitaskers who can organize everything from sports days to project weeks on their own.
However, using AI doesn’t mean giving up control or creativity. It means having a personal assistant to support and inspire you while you remain in the driver’s seat. Let me explain how I used an AI planning assistant to create a student-led LAN event (ÄäneLan) and why this approach makes you more empowered, not less.
You Stay in Control – AI Helps You Focus
Some people fear that AI will take over decision-making. The reality? You decide what ideas to use and what to reject. The AI is simply a brainstorming partner, a structured planner, and a resource-saving tool. At every step of planning ÄäneLan, I was the one making the calls. Here’s how it worked:
- I Set the Vision.
I wanted ÄäneLan to be an educational event about gaming and digital culture that engaged students while developing their skills in teamwork, media literacy, and project management. The AI helped break that vision into actionable steps but never dictated the creative direction. - The AI Suggested Options – I Chose What Fit.
The AI provided a timeline, activity ideas, and safety protocols. I reviewed these suggestions and tailored them to fit our school’s unique needs. For instance, it suggested a peer-led discussion about gaming’s impact on mental health, which I kept, but I added a workshop on game design that felt more relevant to my students. - It Helped With Details – I Focused on the Big Picture.
The AI-generated checklists and templates for documentation, safety plans, and student evaluation criteria. This freed me to focus on what mattered most: creating a memorable experience for my students.
AI Users Are Creators, Not Followers
The most important thing to remember is that AI doesn’t replace your expertise—it amplifies it.
Think of it as a co-pilot:
- It offers ideas when you’re stuck.
- It reminds you of details you might overlook.
- It keeps everything organized while you focus on building something meaningful.
But you always have the final say. Nothing happens without your approval and input.
Why AI Makes a Difference in Education
Here’s why I believe educators and school leaders should embrace AI tools:
- More Time for Teaching and Students.
Planning a complex event can take hours. With AI, you’ll still be involved in every step, but the tool takes care of repetitive tasks like creating schedules or risk assessments. This frees up time to work directly with students. - Expanded Perspective.
AI offers fresh ideas you might not think of on your own. While planning ÄäneLan, I received suggestions on incorporating student-led feedback loops and gamification elements to boost engagement—both of which enhanced the event. - Focus on Pedagogical Quality.
With the AI taking care of logistics, I had more time to align the event with the curriculum and focus on learning outcomes. The result? A richer, more meaningful experience for the students.
Conclusion: AI Makes You a More Powerful Planner
Using AI in education is not about giving up control—it’s about taking control more efficiently and effectively. At every step, I was in charge of what happened. The AI was a tool, not a decision-maker. It helped me do more in less time and with fewer resources.
For educators and principals, this means you can dream bigger and achieve more, knowing you have a powerful assistant at your side. The future of education is not about replacing teachers with AI—it’s about empowering teachers to focus on what they do best: inspiring and guiding students toward success.
So, why not try it? You’re always in control.