Before we let generative AI models loose on education data, we must figure out whether we should, and how to do so privately, securely, and ethically. If AI is like dessert, then we need to eat our veggies first. Responsibly unleashing the power of AI requires scalable, secure data infrastructure that is common across schools and districts. In other words, we need interoperability—a technology and movement that seamlessly integrates data across systems. Only by embracing interoperability at scale can K-12 education harness AI to create a more inclusive, effective learning ecosystem.