The AI boom isn’t just shaking up tech.
It’s knocking on the doors of schools too.
This fall, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the second-largest teachers’ union in the U.S., is rolling out a new initiative: a national training hub focused on artificial intelligence in education.
The twist?
It’s backed by $23 million from three major AI players – Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic.
Credit: Forbes
What Is the National Academy for A.I. Instruction?
Located in New York City, this new training center will be called the National Academy for A.I. Instruction.
It aims to give teachers practical, hands-on experience with AI tools.
Think lesson planning help, quiz creation, or even simplifying complex research materials, using AI.
Instead of leaving teachers to figure out these tools on their own, the academy plans to hold in-person workshops.
The goal? Equip educators to use AI wisely, safely, and ethically.
Randi Weingarten, the president of AFT, compared this move to what other labor unions are already doing.
“The carpenters have been ahead of us on this,” she said. “They’ve worked with industry leaders to create cutting-edge training centers. We’re doing the same, but for education.”
Why Now?
AI isn’t going away.
Tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are already being used by students (sometimes a bit too creatively, if you catch our drift).
Instead of ignoring it, this move puts the power in teachers’ hands, giving them the skills to guide students and set clear boundaries for tech use in the classroom.
Here’s a quick look at what AI tools are already doing in schools:
| AI Tool | Use Case in Classrooms |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT (OpenAI) | Drafting lesson plans, answering questions |
| Copilot (Microsoft) | Writing summaries, generating quizzes |
| Claude (Anthropic) | Explaining difficult topics simply |
Educators are being encouraged to embrace the technology, but not without caution.
The focus is on responsible use, something Weingarten believes requires teachers and tech developers to work together, not in silos.
Is This a Good Thing?
Well, it depends on who you ask.
Some teachers are excited.
After all, AI could save them hours of admin work every week. Imagine having a bot help grade papers or organize class materials!
Others worry about over-reliance.
Could AI dull creativity in lesson planning? Will students try to game the system even more?
Here’s what the AFT says they’re doing differently:
- Hands-on workshops, not just online videos
- Ethical training, so teachers don’t use AI blindly
- Real conversations between educators and tech leaders
The Bigger Picture
Tech companies have big plans for AI in education.
And this new partnership with the AFT signals a deeper commitment.
But it’s not just about tools, it’s about building trust, setting rules, and making sure AI helps, not harms, the learning process.
This isn’t about replacing teachers. It’s about giving them better tools to do what they already do best – educate.
So, what’s next?
With this fall’s workshops kicking off the academy’s first chapter, other training hubs could soon follow in cities across the U.S.
And as the classroom of the future takes shape, one thing’s clear: the AI conversation in education has only just begun.
