Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic to Train 400,000 U.S. Teachers in AI Through $23M Initiative
Three of the biggest names in artificial intelligence – Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic – are joining forces with major teachers’ unions to launch a nationwide training program that will help 400,000 U.S. educators understand and use AI in the classroom.
The newly announced National Academy of AI Instruction, backed by a $23 million investment, aims to provide K-12 teachers with the knowledge and tools to integrate AI into their teaching practices. The initiative is supported by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and will offer online and in-person training, including at a dedicated campus in New York City.
Set to begin instruction this fall, the program will include hands-on workshops, virtual courses, and other resources co-developed by educators and AI specialists. The goal is to make AI accessible to teachers while addressing concerns about the responsible use of the technology in education.
“AI holds tremendous promise but huge challenges,” AFT President Randi Weingarten said in a statement. “The academy is a place where educators and school staff will learn about AI – not just how it works, but how to use it wisely, safely, and ethically.”
The initiative comes at a time when schools across the U.S. are grappling with how to manage AI tools like ChatGPT. While some districts have banned AI due to concerns over cheating and privacy, others have begun experimenting with how it might support learning, reduce teacher workload, or enhance lesson planning. In New York City, for instance, an initial ban on ChatGPT was lifted and replaced with a task force exploring responsible use of AI in schools.
Microsoft is committing $12.5 million over five years to the program, while OpenAI will contribute $10 million, including access to computing infrastructure. Anthropic, a newer AI firm known for its Claude AI assistant, will invest $500,000 in the first year, with the possibility of scaling up its support.
At the launch event on Tuesday, OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Chris Lehane, emphasized that the training will blend general AI education with practical skills tailored to tools created by the partner companies. He also noted the potential for educators to help shape future AI applications.
“You can’t equip students for the intelligence age unless teachers are the ones leading the way,” Lehane said.
While the tech firms stand to gain valuable insights and future users through this collaboration, the organizers say the primary focus is preparing teachers to confidently navigate a rapidly changing educational landscape – without piling on more administrative work.
If successful, the academy could serve as a blueprint for how public education systems can responsibly embrace new technology – one where teachers are empowered, not replaced, by artificial intelligence.
