AFT, Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and UFT Launch National Academy for AI Instruction
New York, NY – July 8, 2025 – In a landmark move to reshape the future of teaching in the artificial intelligence era, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), United Federation of Teachers (UFT), Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic have jointly announced the launch of the National Academy for AI Instruction. This pioneering $23 million initiative sets out to deliver free, comprehensive AI training and curricula to the AFT’s 1.8 million members, starting with K-12 educators across the United States.
Addressing the AI Education Gap
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is fundamentally altering sectors across society, and education stands at the threshold of transformation. However, a significant gap remains: very few U.S. educators have received the structured, accessible training needed to responsibly harness AI in their classrooms. As school districts grapple with the ethical and practical use of AI, teachers often report feeling overwhelmed by both the pace of change and the complex skills required for effective technology integration.
The National Academy for AI Instruction aims to bridge this divide. Headquartered at a state-of-the-art facility in Manhattan, the program is poised to be America’s foremost center for AI-focused educator development. The academy is the first national initiative jointly led by a labor union and leading technology companies, a rare collaboration that leverages both educational and industry expertise for the public good.
Empowering Educators to Lead with AI
The founding partners believe that teachers must be central to the conversation about AI’s use in education—not passive recipients but active shapers. Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, emphasized, “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.”
Randi Weingarten, AFT President, echoed this commitment: “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 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.”
Program Scope and Impact
Starting in Fall 2025, teachers will be able to participate in hands-on workshops, virtual courses, and innovative labs focused on AI literacy, ethical usage, and practical classroom integration. The academy intends to equip 400,000 educators—over 10% of the current U.S. teaching workforce—within five years, cascading AI knowledge and skills to more than 7.2 million students nationwide.
The Manhattan facility, described as a modern hub for professional development, will host in-person cohorts, while scalable online modules and credentialing pathways will ensure national reach. Teachers will receive continuing education credits and certification, further incentivizing participation and career growth.
This collaborative endeavor builds upon the groundwork laid by initial partnerships between Microsoft and the AFL-CIO in 2023, which led to symposiums and strategy sessions at the intersection of labor, technology, and education. With the launch of the National Academy for AI Instruction, these early-stage discussions now materialize into a sustainable, scalable infrastructure to make AI skills universal among U.S. educators.
Innovative Curriculum and Teacher Testimonials
Designed by top AI experts and experienced educators, the curriculum encompasses practical applications (such as lesson planning and communication tools), ethical frameworks for safe AI use, and modules to foster creative, critical, and collaborative problem-solving. Instructors will also lead master classes and coach educators to incorporate the unique strengths of AI without compromising their professional identity.
New York City teachers participating in early training sessions have already voiced their enthusiasm for the program’s impact on their day-to-day work. Marlee Katz, a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing, shared: “Sometimes as a teacher you suffer burnout and you can’t always communicate to the class in the right voice or find the right message. I feel like these AI tools can really help—especially phrasing things in a way that helps students learn better. The tools don’t take away your voice; they’re like a best friend that can help you communicate.”
Vincent Plato, a veteran instructional technology specialist, likened the AI transformation to the arrival of word processors decades ago: “We are watching educators transform the way people use technology for work in real time, but with AI it’s on another unbelievable level. AI can be a thought partner when working alone—whether lesson planning late at night, analyzing student data, or filing reports—a tool that’s going to be transformative for teachers and students alike.”
Inclusive, Safe, and Forward-Looking Approach
Ensuring safety and inclusivity is a cornerstone of the academy’s mission. Tools and modules will address AI ethics, digital citizenship, and bias mitigation, preparing educators not just to use AI but to teach about it thoughtfully. Feedback cycles, innovation labs, and iterative curriculum updates will ensure the academy’s offerings stay current with technological advances and real-world classroom needs.
Chris Lehane, Chief Global Affairs Officer of OpenAI, emphasized, “This AI academy will help ensure that AI is being deployed to help educators do what they do best—teach—and in so doing, help advance the democratizing power of education.”
Jack Clark, Co-founder and Head of Policy at Anthropic, added, “We’re at a pivotal moment in education, and how we introduce AI to educators today will shape teaching for generations to come. Together, we’re building a future where AI supports great teaching in ethical and effective ways.”
Shaping the Future of U.S. Classrooms
With additional partners including venture capitalist Roy Bahat of Bloomberg Beta joining the board, the National Academy for AI Instruction aims to establish a new model for professional development—one that evolves as AI itself evolves, always prioritizing pedagogical integrity and student outcomes.
Industry analysts point out that the global education technology (edtech) market is projected to reach over $400 billion by 2027, with AI-driven personalization and teacher support commanding significant investment. Programs like the Academy will be crucial to ensuring that public education remains at the forefront of innovation, equity, and workforce readiness.
About the Partners
- AFT represents 1.8 million educators and professionals, advocating for high-quality education, healthcare, and public services.
- Microsoft continues to invest in responsible AI tools with a strong focus on accessibility and teacher empowerment.
- OpenAI aims to advance artificial intelligence for the benefit of all humanity and is the developer of ChatGPT and other leading AI models.
- Anthropic designs safe, reliable, and ethical AI systems, including the acclaimed Claude model.
- UFT unites nearly 200,000 New York City educators and staff to champion excellence across the city’s public schools.
For more information on the National Academy for AI Instruction and details about upcoming trainings and resources, visit AIinstruction.org.
Media Contacts:
AFT Press: aftpress@aft.org
Microsoft Media Relations: rapidresponse@wecommunications.com
OpenAI Media Relations: press@openai.com
Anthropic Media Relations: press@anthropic.com
UFT Press: press@uft.org
