AI, Automation, and the Future of K–12 Networks: Year 2 Trends & Findings from CoSN’s 2026 Survey

As K–12 school districts grow increasingly dependent on always-on, secure, and high-performing networks, IT leaders face mounting challenges in managing complexity, ensuring security, and supporting digital learning at scale. With a surge in connected devices, cloud-based applications, and IoT infrastructure, the traditional approach to network operations continues to be tested. To track how districts are addressing these ongoing challenges and where AI and automation fit into the evolving network strategy, CoSN and Juniper Networks conducted their 2026 follow-up survey of district technology leaders across the country.