OpenAI Launches $10M National Academy to Train K–12 Teachers in AI

OpenAI has announced a $10 million commitment to launch the National Academy for AI Instruction, a nationwide effort to help K–12 teachers integrate AI tools into their classrooms. Backed by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Microsoft, and Anthropic, the initiative aims to reach 400,000 educators by 2030. It begins with the establishment of a flagship hub in New York City, supported by the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), and will expand to regional centers across the country.

The academy will deliver training, lesson planning support, and peer networks to help teachers use AI tools for tasks like generating rubrics, adapting content for different learning needs, or saving time on administrative work. Crucially, it focuses on educators in high‑needs communities, including Title I schools, ensuring that AI adoption does not deepen existing disparities. OpenAI is contributing $8 million in funding and $2 million in in-kind support.

By centering teachers rather than tech vendors, the initiative frames AI not as a disruption but as a classroom ally. It also shifts the narrative around AI in education from fear to empowerment. As large platforms continue rolling out AI tools to schools, this move sets a new bar for educator-led implementation with equity in mind.