Collaborative Decision-Making in Primary Education: The Symbiosis of AI and School Leadership

The study explores school leaders’ attitudes and perceptions regarding the role of artificial intelligence in decision-making within primary education, focusing on how AI is understood and evaluated across key dimensions. A quantitative survey was conducted among 238 public primary school leaders in the South Aegean region (Cyclades and Dodecanese) using simple random sampling. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, and reliability analysis. Participants showed positive views on AI in automation, data analysis, and predictive assessment. Gender-based differences appeared in levels of agreement and neutrality. Human judgment remains central in complex decisions. Findings are limited to one regional context; broader and mixed-method research is recommended. The research highlights the need for better AI training and ethical governance in school leadership, providing new evidence on how AI in decision-making is perceived by school leaders in a localized educational context.