Teachers union opens national AI academy to train educators

In the United States, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) announced the establishment of the National Academy for AI Instruction, a significant initiative funded with a total of $23 million from leading tech companies including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic. The academy, located at the United Federation of Teachers' headquarters in Manhattan, aims to provide teachers with practical training on how to effectively use AI tools in classroom settings. The training is set to start in the fall and is part of a broader effort to bridge the AI skills gap that many educators are currently experiencing. With the backdrop of growing concerns about the role of AI in education, this initiative is seen as timely. Educators have been increasingly engaging with AI tools, yet many report not receiving sufficient training to harness these technologies effectively in their teaching practices. This development comes as schools face various challenges in integrating AI, with pressure from both technology companies and the government to ensure that educators are equipped with practical skills for the modern classroom. In its first year, the academy aims to train approximately 400,000 kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers across the United States in AI usage. This translates to about 10% of the U.S. teaching workforce, a significant push to empower educators with the knowledge they need to guide students on AI applications. The programming will encompass various training formats, including workshops and online courses, designed specifically to facilitate deeper understanding among educators about both the capabilities and limitations of AI technologies. The AFT’s president, Randi Weingarten, highlighted the pivotal role of teachers in the integration of AI, emphasizing that while technology can enhance teaching and learning, it should not replace the essential human connection between educators and students. The goal of this initiative is not only to provide instruction on AI usage but also to foster an environment where educators can engage in meaningful discussions with tech developers. This initiative represents a serious commitment from major tech companies to support education, and its success may serve as a model for future collaborations in the sector.