AFT Launches $23M AI Academy to Train 400,000 Teachers by 2030

Key Points :

$23 million plan to develop 400,000 K–12 teachers in AI by 2030.

Proposal to provide workshops, online courses, and hands-on AI training.

Emphasis on the use of AI for beneficial purposes and teacher-driven adoption in schools.

Key Background :

The creation of the National Academy for AI Instruction is a significant milestone in the fusion of technology and education. By spending money to train 400,000 educators, approximately 10% of the entire U.S. teaching force, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and its partners expect to recruit a generation of educators skilled at leveraging AI as a tool to improve student outcomes.

The later fall opening of the academy in New York City creates a physical location for training and innovation. But the program will also be scalable across the nation, with virtual learning and support systems that will grow over the coming few years. That makes possible participation for teachers in rural or underserved areas that do not have on-campus professional development assets.

Teachers already are introducing AI technologies into the classroom, and it isn't letting up. They say they see numerous individuals who use AI to automate back-office tasks, create differentiated lesson plans, and analyze student data. These streamlining efforts have saved huge amounts of time, which can be reallocated to energize classrooms and tailor instruction to the needs of students.

At the heart of the effort is placing educators at the center of AI adoption, not as consumers but as leaders. AFT leadership has been adamant that teachers must lead the conversation about AI in the classroom, ensuring AI helps enhance—and not replace—the human connections that mark great teaching.

This partnership among leading technology companies and national-level teachers unions is evidence of the shared perception: AI will shape the future of education. Ethical, inclusive, purposeful AI deployment depends on intelligent practitioners who can make significant decisions in real time.

The National Academy for AI Education isn't about technology—it's about creating long-term capacity, fueling innovation, and safeguarding the values that are crucial to education while harvesting the power of today's technology.

It provides a national model for getting AI into the classroom: responsibly, in partnership, and driven by teachers.