Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic and the American Federation of Teachers launch National Academy of AI Education to increase the number of teachers who can use AI

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has partnered with the National Teachers Union, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic to launch the National Academy for AI Education.

AFT to Launch National Academy for AI Instruction with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic and United Federation of Teachers | American Federation of Teachers

Working with 400,000 teachers to shape the future of AI in schools | OpenAI
https://openai.com/global-affairs/aft/

The Academy is a place where educators and school staff can learn how AI works and how to use it wisely, safely and ethically.

The academy was established in late 2023 as a result of a partnership between lead partner Microsoft and the American Federation of Labor-CIO (AFL-CIO), and would not have been possible without the cooperation of Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the National Teachers Union.

'AI holds great promise but also great challenges, and it is our job as educators to ensure that it serves students and society well,' said AFT's Randi Weingarten. 'AI will never replace the direct connection between teachers and students, but if we can learn how to harness it, set common-sense guardrails, and give teachers the lead, teaching and learning will evolve.'

'To do the best for students, we must ensure that teachers have a strong voice in the development and use of AI,' said Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith. 'This partnership not only helps teachers learn how to use AI better, it also creates an opportunity for teachers to tell tech companies how to make AI that works better for kids.'

The Academy is a $23 million education initiative that will provide AFT's 1.8 million members, including K-12 teachers, with access to free AI training and curriculum.

The academies will begin training in late 2025 and are expected to support 400,000 educators over five years.