Leading technology companies have joined forces in a major initiative dedicating $25 million to prepare teachers for using artificial intelligence in the American education system. Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic announced the launch of the AI Teacher Academy on July 8, 2025. The program aims to reach 1.5 million educators across the United States over the next three years. It seeks to help teachers ethically and effectively implement AI in classrooms while preparing students for an AI-transformed future.
The AI Teacher Academy focuses on four key areas: personalised instruction, reducing administrative burdens, preparing students for AI skills, and addressing educational inequities. The program's first phase will begin in September 2025 with 10,000 teachers, with plans for nationwide expansion by 2026. Brad Smith, Microsoft's president, stated that AI can significantly improve educational outcomes if teachers receive proper training in using the technology ethically. The initiative is supported by the American Federation of Teachers, which highlighted that while 73% of teachers are already experimenting with AI tools, only 12% feel confident in using them.
A key feature of the program is its focus on disadvantaged schools, with 60% of resources directed to less affluent districts. As part of the initiative, the companies will provide free access to their AI tools for educational institutions, including OpenAI's ChatGPT-4 model and Anthropic's Claude 3.5 assistant. Experts suggest this investment could yield significant returns, as a McKinsey study in June 2025 concluded that AI-based educational tools could improve student learning outcomes by up to 40%, particularly in STEM subjects.
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Clare Duffy
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Cnn Com Wire Service
