National AI Academy Launched for K-12 Educators with $23 Million Funding
A $23 million partnership to train K-12 educators on AI integration has been launched by Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the AFT.
Key Points
- • $23 million investment to train over 400,000 K-12 educators on AI integration.
- • National Academy for AI Instruction to open in New York City this fall.
- • OpenAI to contribute $10 million and provide technical support for the initiative.
- • Concerns regarding student data privacy and racial bias in AI tools addressed by educators.
In a significant development for K-12 education, Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have teamed up to launch the National Academy for AI Instruction, investing $23 million over five years. This initiative aims to train over 400,000 educators across the United States on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their teaching practices.
Located in New York City, the academy plans to kick-start its training programs this fall, extending its reach nationally in the following years. As part of its training offerings, the program will provide continuing education credits, credentials, certifications, workshops, and online courses designed to keep educators abreast of AI advancements. Randi Weingarten, AFT president, emphasized the importance of teachers leading the conversation around the use of technology in education, stating, "The question was whether we would be chasing it or whether we would be trying to harness it."
The partnership responds to the growing demand for AI literacy within the educational sector, particularly as reports noted a surge in the number of school districts offering AI training—which more than doubled from 2023 to 2024. Projections suggest that nearly three-quarters of districts will provide this training by fall 2025. The National Academy for AI Instruction is set to become a leading model for integrating AI education, drawing inspiration from successful training initiatives in various industries.
OpenAI is contributing $10 million and technical support for the program, which will also address critical concerns, including student data privacy and potential racial biases in AI algorithms, as highlighted by educators and researchers. Weingarten acknowledged this pressing issue, asserting that the initiative is not just about technology, but about shaping the future of education responsibly.
Despite these advancements, educators have raised concerns about the ethical implications of AI, particularly regarding data use and systemic biases that could emerge in grading and assessments. Furthermore, the need for equitable training access is underscored, especially in schools serving high-poverty communities. Similar to New Deal efforts in democratizing access to technology, the National Academy for AI Instruction seeks to ensure that AI training is available to all educators, thus fostering equitable educational practices in an increasingly AI-integrated world.