NYC Teachers Gain AI Training Access

New academy to give educators tools to integrate artificial intelligence into classrooms.

In an effort to revolutionize AI education nationwide, New York City teachers will soon receive complimentary AI training and curriculum. The program intends to fundamentally alter how AI is integrated into classrooms.

National Academy for AI Instruction

The American Federation of Teachers union, together with New York City’s United Federation of Teachers, is collaborating with Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic to introduce the National Academy for AI Instruction.

According to the unions, this $23 million initiative seeks to close the gap in accessible AI training and establish a national model for AI-integrated teaching, empowering educators.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, stated, “AI holds tremendous promise but huge challenges — and it’s our job as educators to make sure AI serves our students and society, not the other way around.”

She added, “The direct connection between a teacher and their kids can never be replaced by new technologies, but if we learn how to harness it, set common-sense guardrails, and put teachers in the driver’s seat, teaching and learning can be enhanced.”

Hands-on Training

The announcement occurred Tuesday at the New York City headquarters of the United Federation of Teachers, which has 200,000 members. Hundreds of teachers attended a three-day training session that included six hours of AI-focused content with practical applications to integrate the technology with established teaching methods.

The new program will support teachers in navigating the ethical and safety issues associated with AI. As the Brookings Institute reports, only 40% of teachers feel prepared to use AI in the classroom (Brookings, 2024).

“For so long, there have been many new programs that were weaponized against educators,” stated Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers. “Our goal is to develop a tool that gives educators the ability to train on AI and incorporate it into their instructional planning, giving them more one-on-one time with their students.”

National Model

This is the first collaboration between a national teachers’ union and tech firms to develop a long-lasting AI education infrastructure.

The National Academy for AI Instruction, based in New York City, will act as a top AI education center with cutting-edge technology. Under the direction of the American Federation of Teachers, it will be run by a coalition of public and private stakeholders.

The academy intends to begin instruction in the fall before expanding nationally. Over the next five years, the program hopes to assist 400,000 teachers, or around 10% of the teaching workforce in the United States, reaching more than 7.2 million students.

The program will include workshops, online courses, and hands-on training sessions designed by prominent AI experts and seasoned educators. This will guarantee that teachers are prepared to handle a future driven by AI.

Interdisciplinary research teams will come together to promote innovation and create a national model for AI-integrated learning environments. The academy will also offer continuing support and resources to assist educators in staying current with AI developments.

Visit AIinstruction.org for more details regarding the National Academy for AI Instruction.