Artificial intelligence (AI) has great potential to transform how students learn STEM subjects and how we prepare the future workforce, but too often research innovations never make it into real classrooms. Dr. Min Sun’s work bridges this gap by connecting four essential elements: conducting foundational research, developing specialized AI technologies, training educators to use them effectively and engaging the public in appropriately understanding AI's role in education. This presentation will demonstrate specific examples of NSF-funded innovations that are serving learners nationwide and internationally. Dr. Sun will examine current trends in educational AI, while identifying where the field still needs to grow. Essentially, this talk highlights how integrated research and technology development can advance NSF's mission to develop a globally competitive STEM workforce.