AFT and Microsoft Launch National Academy for AI Instruction in NYC

New AI Education Initiative Launched by AFT and Major Tech Partners

NEW YORK – In a significant move to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into American classrooms, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has joined forces with the United Federation of Teachers, Microsoft Corp., OpenAI, and Anthropic to establish the National Academy for AI Instruction. This ambitious $23 million project aims to provide free AI training and curriculum to all 1.8 million AFT members, primarily targeting K-12 educators.

The Academy seeks to close the gap in accessible AI education, offering a model for incorporating AI into teaching that empowers educators to lead the way. As technological advancements evolve rapidly, teachers are tasked with navigating AI's complexities safely and ethically, ensuring they have the necessary skills to aid student success.

Microsoft's vice chair and president, Brad Smith, emphasized the importance of teachers having a say in AI's educational development, stating, "To best serve students, we must ensure teachers have a strong voice in the development and use of AI."

Hosted at the AFT's largest affiliate, the New York City-based UFT, the announcement coincided with a three-day training event attended by hundreds of educators. This session included six hours dedicated to AI, showcasing practical methods to integrate emerging technologies with traditional teaching.

AFT President Randi Weingarten acknowledged AI's potential and challenges, underscoring the need for teachers to harness technology effectively: "AI holds tremendous promise but huge challenges—and it’s our job as educators to make sure AI serves our students and society, not the other way around."

The Academy will operate from a cutting-edge facility in Manhattan, envisioned as a hub for AI education, leveraging partnerships with public and private entities. Set to launch in the fall, it plans to expand nationwide, aiming to support 400,000 educators and impact over 7.2 million students within five years.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew spoke on empowering educators with AI tools, saying, "Our goal is to develop a tool that gives educators the ability to train their AI and incorporate it into their instructional planning, giving them more one-on-one time with their students."

Teachers like Marlee Katz, who works with deaf and hard-of-hearing students, find AI tools beneficial, stating, "Sometimes as a teacher you suffer burnout...these AI tools we are working with can really help with that—especially phrasing things in a way that helps students learn better."

The initiative also reflects on past technological shifts in education. Vincent Pilato, a veteran educator, compared the AI transition to the introduction of word processors, noting, "We are watching educators transform the way people use technology for work in real time, but with AI it’s on another unbelievable level because it’s just so much more powerful."

The Academy's curriculum, designed by AI experts and educators, will include workshops, online courses, and practical training, ensuring teachers are equipped to navigate an AI-driven future. It will also foster innovation in AI education through interdisciplinary research and maintain ongoing support for educators.

For more information about the National Academy for AI Instruction, please visit AIinstruction.org.