Tech giants Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic have partnered with two teacher’s unions to launch a $23 million initiative to train 400,000 kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers on artificial intelligence (AI) over the next five years. The National Academy of AI Instruction will provide online and in-person training for educators, focusing on how AI can be used wisely, safely, and ethically.
The program aims to create a national model for integrating AI into school curricula without adding administrative burdens. Educators want to ensure students are equipped with skills to succeed in the intelligence age, while also addressing concerns about the potential impact of AI on student learning.
Teacher’s unions American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and United Federation of Teachers have expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of responsible AI use in education. The program will include workshops, online courses, and training sessions led by AI experts and educators, with funding from tech companies totaling $23 million over five years.
While some schools ban AI usage, others have adopted it. New York City’s education department initially prohibited ChatGPT but later developed an AI policy lab to explore the technology’s potential. The new academy seeks to address these challenges through collaboration between educators and tech companies.
“This is our job as educators to make sure AI serves our students and society, not the other way around,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “The academy will provide a platform for educators to learn about AI, its potential and limitations.”
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/08/tech/ai-teacher-training-academy-microsoft-openai-anthropic