Introduction to 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?”
The Unlikely Partnership
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 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.
The Funding and Its Purpose
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.” 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.
Tech Money for AI Training Hub
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.
Educators’ Perspective
Several recent studies have found that AI use in schools is rapidly increasing but training and guidance are lagging. The industry offers resources that can help scale AI literacy efforts quickly. But educators should ensure any partnership focuses on what’s best for teachers and students, said Robin Lake, director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education. “These are private initiatives, and they are run by companies that have a stake,” Lake said. Microsoft’s Brad Smith agrees that teachers should have a “healthy dose of skepticism” about the role of tech companies.
Teachers See New Possibilities
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.”
AP Photo/Darren Abate
Kathleen Torregrossa, Ed.D, rear, lectures during a Microsoft AI skilling event, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in San Antonio.
Conclusion
The integration of AI in education is a rapidly evolving field, with both opportunities and challenges. As tech companies invest millions in training teachers, the focus remains on ensuring that these partnerships benefit both the educators and the students. With the right approach, AI can enhance instruction, make learning more engaging, and prepare the future workforce for the increasingly technology-driven world.
FAQs
- Q: Why are tech companies investing in AI training for teachers?
A: Tech companies are investing in AI training for teachers to help them stay relevant and to make inroads into schools, potentially winning over students in the race for AI dominance. - Q: How much funding is being provided by Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic?
A: 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. - Q: What is the goal of the AI training hubs?
A: The goal is to train 400,000 teachers over the next five years and to open at least two more hubs after the initial one in New York City. - Q: What are the concerns regarding the integration of AI in education?
A: Concerns include the potential impact on critical thinking, privacy issues, and the possibility of students not actually learning the material due to over-reliance on AI tools.
