Introduction to Big Tech and AI in Education
On a scorching hot Saturday in San Antonio, dozens of teachers traded a day off for a glimpse of the future. The topic of the day’s workshop: enhancing instruction with artificial intelligence. After marveling as AI graded classwork instantly and turned lesson plans into podcasts or online storybooks, one high school English teacher raised a concern that was on the minds of many: “Are we going to be replaced with AI?” That remains to be seen. But for the nation’s 4 million teachers to stay relevant and help students use the technology wisely, teachers unions have forged an unlikely partnership with the world’s largest technology companies.
The Unlikely Partnership
The two groups don’t always see eye to eye but say they share a common goal: training the future workforce of America. Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic are providing millions of dollars for AI training to the American Federation of Teachers, the country’s second-largest teachers union. In exchange, the tech companies have an opportunity to make inroads into schools and win over students in the race for AI dominance. AFT President Randi Weingarten said skepticism guided her negotiations, but the tech industry has something schools lack: deep pockets. “There is no one else who is helping us with this. That’s why we felt we needed to work with the largest corporations in the world,” Weingarten said. “We went to them — they didn’t come to us.”
The Funding and Its Purpose
Under the arrangement announced in July, Microsoft is contributing $12.5 million to AFT over five years. OpenAI is providing $8 million in funding and $2 million in technical resources, and Anthropic has offered $500,000. With the money, AFT is planning to build an AI training hub in New York City that will offer virtual and in-person workshops for teachers. The goal is to open at least two more hubs and train 400,000 teachers over the next five years. The National Education Association, the country’s largest teachers union, announced its own partnership with Microsoft last month. The company has provided a $325,000 grant to help the NEA develop AI trainings in the form of “microcredentials” — online trainings open to the union’s 3 million members.
Benefits and Concerns
Both unions set similar terms: Educators, not the private funders, would design and lead trainings that include AI tools from multiple companies. The unions own the intellectual property for the trainings, which cover safety and privacy concerns alongside AI skills. The Trump administration has encouraged the private investment, recently creating an AI Education Task Force as part of an effort to achieve “global dominance in artificial intelligence.” The federal government urged tech companies and other organizations to foot the bill. So far, more than 100 companies have signed up. Tech companies see opportunities in education beyond training teachers. Microsoft unveiled a $4 billion initiative for AI training, research and the gifting of its AI tools to teachers and students.
Teacher Perspectives
At the San Antonio AFT training, about 50 educators turned up for the three-hour workshop for teachers in the Northside Independent School District. It is the city’s largest, employing about 7,000 teachers. The day started with a pep talk. “We all know, when we talk about AI, teachers say, ‘Nah, I’m not doing that,’” trainer Kathleen Torregrossa told the room. “But we are preparing kids for the future. That is our primary job. And AI, like it or not, is part of our world.” Attendees generated lesson plans using ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, Microsoft CoPilot and two AI tools designed for schools, Khanmingo and Colorín Colorado. Gabriela Aguirre, a 1st grade dual language teacher, repeatedly used the word “amazing” to describe what she saw. “It can save you so much time,” she said, and add visual flair to lessons.
Conclusion
The partnership between Big Tech and teachers unions is a significant step towards preparing the future workforce for an AI-driven world. While there are concerns about the potential impact of AI on education, the benefits of this partnership cannot be ignored. With the right training and resources, teachers can harness the power of AI to enhance instruction, engage students, and improve learning outcomes. As the education sector continues to evolve, it is essential to ensure that the needs of teachers and students are at the forefront of any partnership or initiative.
FAQs
- What is the purpose of the partnership between Big Tech and teachers unions?
The partnership aims to provide AI training to teachers, enabling them to effectively integrate AI into their instruction and prepare students for an AI-driven world. - How much funding is being provided by Big Tech companies?
Microsoft is contributing $12.5 million, OpenAI is providing $8 million in funding and $2 million in technical resources, and Anthropic has offered $500,000. - What are the benefits of using AI in education?
AI can help teachers save time, add visual flair to lessons, and engage students in new and innovative ways. - What are the concerns surrounding the use of AI in education?
There are concerns about the potential impact of AI on critical thinking, the replacement of teachers, and the privacy and safety of students. - How will the AI training hubs be established?
AFT plans to build an AI training hub in New York City, with the goal of opening at least two more hubs and training 400,000 teachers over the next five years.
