OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic have joined forces to launch the National Academy for AI Instruction, a five-year initiative aimed at training 400,000 K-12 educators across the United States by 2030. This ambitious project seeks to equip teachers with the skills and tools necessary to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the classroom in meaningful and ethical ways.
The initiative is being rolled out in partnership with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), one of the country’s largest teacher unions. Together, the organizations aim to reach approximately one in ten U.S. teachers, supporting them in becoming confident users and leaders in AI-enhanced instruction.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life and the workforce, educational institutions are under growing pressure to adapt. The Academy will provide educators with training on AI fundamentals, classroom applications, data privacy, bias mitigation, and responsible use of AI tools. By focusing on both technical knowledge and ethical considerations, the program aims to ensure that AI integration is safe, inclusive, and effective.
AFT President Randi Weingarten welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the importance of teacher involvement in shaping AI’s role in education. “Educators must be at the center of this transformation,” she said, adding that the academy will help ensure AI enhances – rather than undermines – teaching and learning.
OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic have all invested heavily in AI innovation, and this initiative marks a significant step in extending those efforts into public education. Microsoft will contribute through its existing educational platforms and tools, while Anthropic and OpenAI will provide training materials, AI models, and safety resources.
Critically, the program also seeks to address equity in AI access, with a focus on reaching under-resourced schools and historically underserved communities.
As the National Academy for AI Instruction begins its rollout, it represents not just a technological upgrade, but a bold move toward reimagining how education prepares students for a rapidly evolving digital future.
