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Teachers Take the Lead: National AI Academy Launched with Backing from Microsoft, OpenAI & Anthropic

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In a landmark move to reshape the role of artificial intelligence in education, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has announced the launch of the National AI Academy for AI instruction . Backed by major tech players OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic, the initiative aims to train teachers across the U.S. on how to effectively and ethically integrate AI into their classrooms.

Set to open this fall in Manhattan, the Academy will be funded with $23 million in combined contributions $10 million from OpenAI, $12.5 million from Microsoft, and $500,000 from Anthropic during its first year. According to AFT president Randi Weingarten, the goal is not to replace teachers with technology but to equip them to lead in an AI-powered future:

“This is about keeping teachers at the center, ensuring AI works for them, not instead of them,” she told CBS News.

National AI Academy Comprehensive Training Designed by Educators for Educators

The National AI Academy will offer a blend of in-person instruction, virtual modules, and hands-on workshops, tailored specifically to the needs of K–12 teachers. Over the next five years, it aims to train 400,000 educators, nearly 10% of the U.S. teaching workforce.

Curriculum development has been a collaborative effort between AI researchers and classroom teachers. Participants will learn everything from prompt engineering and lesson planning to ethical AI use. Educators will also receive accreditation, positioning them as certified AI-literate professionals.

In addition to financial support, OpenAI will provide engineering assistance, API access, and compute resources to support real classroom use cases. Microsoft, which has already integrated AI tools like Copilot into its Office suite, says the partnership is about amplifying the human element in learning:

“Students benefit most when educators drive the integration of new technologies,” noted Microsoft’s Gerry Petrella in a joint statement.

Redefining AI’s Role in Education

The launch comes at a pivotal moment for AI in schools. A recent survey shared by OpenAI reveals that six in ten teachers already use AI tools and report saving an average of six hours per week. However, concerns over cheating and loss of student critical thinking remain.

Rather than banning these tools, many educators and institutions are now focusing on constructive integration, an approach that aligns with the Academy’s mission. As Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark highlighted, the initiative represents a turning point in how AI is scaled responsibly across classrooms.

This is not the first time tech firms have collaborated with education leaders. Last November, OpenAI worked with Common Sense Media to roll out a free AI training program for teachers. Meanwhile, companies like Pearson and Google Cloud have introduced personalized AI learning platforms.

Yet, the AFT’s new Academy stands out for its union-driven, teacher-first framework, making it one of the largest and most democratic efforts of its kind.

The National Academy for AI Instruction marks a bold shift in how the U.S. prepares its educators for the next era of learning. With backing from AI leaders and led by teachers themselves, the program reclaims the narrative: AI is not a threat to educators—it’s a tool they will master.

By offering large-scale, accessible, and ethics-grounded training, this initiative promises to make AI in classrooms inclusive, empowering, and sustainable. As Randi Weingarten stated, “We’re not just adapting to the future—we’re building it.”