TLDR: OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic have partnered with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to establish the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million program aimed at providing free AI training and curriculum to K-12 educators across the United States. The initiative, launching in Fall 2025, seeks to empower teachers in integrating artificial intelligence responsibly and ethically into classrooms, with a goal to train 400,000 educators by 2030.
In a significant collaboration between leading technology companies and the nation’s largest teachers’ union, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic have joined forces with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to launch the National Academy for AI Instruction. This ambitious $23 million initiative is designed to offer free, comprehensive artificial intelligence training and curriculum to K-12 educators throughout the U.S., marking a pivotal moment in the integration of AI into the American education system.
The funding for this five-year program is substantial, with Microsoft committing $12.5 million. OpenAI is contributing a total of $10 million, comprising $8 million in direct funding and an additional $2 million in technical resources. Anthropic will provide $500,000 in first-year support. This collective investment underscores a shared commitment to equipping educators with the necessary skills to navigate the evolving landscape of AI.
The primary goal of the National Academy for AI Instruction is to establish a ‘national model for AI-integrated curriculum.’ The program will commence with hands-on workshops this fall at the United Federation of Teachers’ (UFT) headquarters in downtown Manhattan, New York. The UFT is a New York City-based affiliate of the AFT. Beyond its initial New York hub, there are plans to develop additional training centers across the U.S. by 2030, aiming for a broad national reach.
The academy’s curriculum will encompass a variety of learning formats, including skills-based workshops, online courses, and practical, hands-on training sessions. A key focus will be on the practical and ethical application of AI tools in the classroom, addressing both the opportunities and challenges presented by this rapidly advancing technology.
The initiative targets all 1.8 million members of the AFT, with an ambitious objective to train approximately 400,000 educators, representing roughly 10% of the total U.S. teaching workforce, by the year 2030.
Leaders from the partnering organizations have voiced strong support for the program. Randi Weingarten, President of the AFT, emphasized the irreplaceable human element in education, stating, “The direct connection between a teacher and their kids can never be replaced by new technologies, but if we learn how to harness it, set commonsense guardrails and put teachers in the driver’s seat, teaching and learning can be enhanced.” She also highlighted the union’s proactive stance amidst federal budget cuts, noting, “More important given what’s happening in Washington. As the federal government is cutting budgets for schools, we are ensuring that teachers and kids have what they need… the skills of today and tomorrow.”
Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, echoed the sentiment of teacher empowerment: “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.” Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers, expressed hope that this academy would allow teachers to influence AI tool development, a departure from past edtech solutions that were often “developed from above, sold to the people who have the money, then pushed onto teachers.”
Jack Clark, co-founder of Anthropic, underscored the critical juncture in education, stating, “We’re at a pivotal moment in education, and how we introduce AI to educators today will shape teaching for generations to come.” OpenAI, in a company blog post, affirmed its belief that “Now is the time to ensure Al empowers educators, students, and schools. For this to happen, teachers must lead the conversation around how to best harness its potential.”
This initiative comes at a time when AI is already making inroads into classrooms. A recent Gallup study indicated that six in ten educators are currently utilizing AI tools, reporting an average saving of six hours per week on various tasks. The White House has also encouraged technology companies to provide AI grants and training to schools.
However, some experts, like Dr. Griffey, a vice president of University Council-A.F.T. Local 1474, have raised concerns, suggesting that such partnerships could be a “long-game investment by companies to turn young people into consumers who identify with a particular brand.”
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Despite these varying perspectives, the National Academy for AI Instruction represents a concerted effort to proactively integrate AI into education, ensuring that teachers are at the forefront of this technological shift.
