School leaders should prioritize identifying specific instructional or operational problems through teacher and student input before adopting AI tools, ensuring that technology serves real needs rather than just chasing novelty. To ensure successful adoption, platforms must be intuitive, integrated into existing workflows, and thoroughly tested through pilots to confirm they provide clear value without creating excessive training burdens. Ultimately, AI procurement must align with the school’s core vision for learning while addressing critical factors like equity, data privacy, and financial sustainability to foster deeper student thinking and long-term growth.