AFT, Tech Firms Launch $23M AI Training for 400,000 Teachers Nationwide

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in partnership with the United Federation of Teachers, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic, has launched the $23 million National Academy for AI Instruction to train over 400,000 teachers nationwide by 2030 in AI fluency and classroom application. This initiative marks a significant shift toward a teacher-led model of AI adoption in education, aiming to empower educators to co-design and ethically implement AI tools that enhance teaching rather than replace teachers. The academy will provide workshops, online courses, and hands-on training, with a flagship campus opening in New York City this fall and plans to expand nationally, particularly focusing on high-need school districts. Survey data shows that 60% of teachers are already using AI tools, reporting benefits such as time savings and improved quality in tasks like grading and administrative work. The program emphasizes collaboration between educators and AI developers through innovation labs to ensure tools address classroom realities and equity challenges. AFT President Randi Weingarten highlighted the importance of maintaining the teacher-student relationship while harnessing AI to enhance learning, with funding commitments including $10 million from OpenAI, $12.5 million from Microsoft, and $500,000 from Anthropic to support the initiative's growth.