AFT Launches National Academy for AI Instruction with Microsoft and OpenAI Partnership

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) launches the National Academy for AI Instruction with Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic, providing free AI training and curriculum for 1.8 million members. The initiative addresses the gap in structured AI training and aims to put educators in control of integrating AI into classrooms. The academy will focus on teaching AI wisely, ethically, and safely, ensuring that technology serves students and society, not the other way around.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has announced the launch of the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative aimed at providing free AI training and curriculum to its 1.8 million members, primarily K-12 educators. The academy, a partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic, addresses the gap in structured AI training and seeks to empower educators to integrate AI into classrooms effectively and ethically.

The academy will be based in a state-of-the-art facility in Manhattan, designed to transform AI education in the United States. It will offer workshops, online courses, and hands-on training sessions, ensuring that teachers are equipped to navigate an AI-driven future. The program will focus on teaching AI wisely, ethically, and safely, with a goal of ensuring that technology serves students and society.

Microsoft's vice chair and president, Brad Smith, underscored the importance of giving teachers a voice in the development and use of AI. He stated, "To best serve students, we must ensure teachers have a strong voice in the development and use of AI. This partnership will not only help teachers learn how to better use AI, it will give them the opportunity to tell tech companies how we can create AI that better serves kids."

The initiative is part of a broader effort to create a sustainable education infrastructure for AI. It aims to support 400,000 educators over five years, reaching more than 7.2 million students. The academy will provide ongoing support and resources to help educators stay updated with the latest advancements in AI.

The partnership between Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic, along with the AFT, is a significant step in democratizing access to AI skills. OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, emphasized the goal of using AI to enhance education, stating, "When it comes to AI in schools, the question is whether it is being used to disrupt education for the benefit of students and teachers or at their expense. We want this technology to be used by teachers for their benefit, by helping them to learn, to think and to create."

Anthropic's co-founder and head of policy, Jack Clark, echoed this sentiment, noting, "We're at a pivotal moment in education, and how we introduce AI to educators today will shape teaching for generations to come. That's why we're thrilled to partner with the AFT to empower teachers with the knowledge and tools to guide their students through this evolving landscape."

The academy's launch marks a new era in AI education, with a focus on putting educators in control of integrating AI into classrooms. The initiative is designed to provide a national model for AI-integrated curriculum and teaching, ensuring that AI serves the needs of students and society.

References:
[1] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aft-to-launch-national-academy-for-ai-instruction-with-microsoft-openai-anthropic-and-united-federation-of-teachers-302500458.html
[2] https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/07/08/1237220/microsoft-openai-and-a-us-teachers-union-are-hatching-a-plan-to-bring-ai-into-the-classroom