TLDR: Adobe has announced a significant partnership with the State of California to integrate advanced AI-powered tools and literacy programs into classrooms, aiming to prepare over two million students and educators for an AI-driven future. This initiative expands access to Adobe’s generative AI tools like Adobe Express, Acrobat, and Firefly, focusing on fostering critical thinking, creativity, and workforce readiness.
SACRAMENTO, CA – August 7, 2025 – In a landmark move to revolutionize education and workforce preparedness, Adobe has officially partnered with the State of California to build ‘future-ready classrooms’ for students and teachers. This collaboration, announced today, is designed to equip the next generation with the essential skills and resources needed to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.
The initiative is part of a broader state effort, where California is leveraging programs from leading technology companies including Google, Adobe, IBM, and Microsoft. The goal is to prepare over two million students across public high schools, community colleges, and California State Universities for an AI-ready workforce. Adobe’s contribution focuses on expanding access to its responsibly developed generative AI tools, such as Adobe Express, Adobe Acrobat, and Adobe Firefly, directly within educational settings.
Mala Sharma, VP and General Manager, Creators and Education for Adobe’s Digital Media Business, emphasized the critical nature of this endeavor. “To create the future, today’s students must learn to speak the language of tomorrow,” Sharma stated. “That means not only having access to Adobe’s world-class, classroom-ready AI-powered tools as they are creating, ideating, or studying, but also becoming fluent in AI itself. This is equally important for educators because when we invest in teachers, we invest in every student they will ever reach. By empowering both students and educators with AI skills and knowledge, Adobe is proud to take a critical step toward building an innovative workforce that thrives in the digital world of today and tomorrow.”
For the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, Adobe Express for Education, which is provided free for K-12 schools, will introduce new features and capabilities. These enhancements, powered by generative AI, are designed to make learning more engaging, creative, and meaningful. New functionalities include galleries for showcasing student work, multi-step guided activities, tools to animate characters, expressive digital drawing tools, and video self-recording options. Furthermore, the platform will offer standards-aligned templates across various subjects, promoting critical thinking and saving valuable teacher time. Adobe has also incorporated robust safeguards and educator-friendly controls to ensure responsible AI use in the classroom.
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This partnership underscores Adobe’s long-standing commitment to education, aiming to foster creativity, promote critical thinking, and ensure students are well-prepared for the demands of future careers in a digitally transformed landscape.
