Microsoft is bringing artificial intelligence in every public classroom in his home state – and is spreading new questions about its role in education.
Redmond Tech Giants on Thursday Exposed Microsoft Washington, an obvious new initiative that will provide free access to AI-driven software and training for all 295 public school districts and 34 communities and technical colleges across the state of Washington.
The program was part of Microsoft Elevet, a broad $ 4 billion in the organization, a five -year promise to assist with AI equipment and training to schools and non -profit and announced in July.
Washington-specific attempt represents the largest single investment of the company every resident anywhere in the world.
“This is our home,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith’s headquarters at a launch event on campus. “A large part of what we are doing today is investing in our house” “
Some details about the new program:
- The company will provide its Copilot Studio equipment – used to create a custom AI agent without coding – in January 2026 for three years at school district and community colleges.
- High school students will get Microsoft 365 desktop applications, learning accelerators and teams for free education for three years from July 2026.
- Community College students will get Microsoft 365 personal one year with Copilot Integration.
- Microsoft will give them 10 school districts and 10 community colleges to deploy AI equipment to donate $ 25,000 in advice.
- The company will be part of the State Agency and Teacher Unions to provide professional development programs and bootcamps for academics.
Microsoft described Smith this effort as an attempt to stop what he was looking at as an emerging division across the state. According to the data shared on Thursday, more than 30% of the county of the Seattle region has already used AI equipment, compared to less than 10% in several rural East County.
“Basically, what we see is not just a technology interval – what we see is an opportunity to be an opportunity,” he said.
The program has also reached in the midst of rising uncertainty – and debate – about the role of AI in education.
Advocates argue that AI can personalize education, reduce administrative work stress and help teachers to read tailor for separate students. Critics warned that it could reduce education and enhance discrimination, especially when students became excessively dependent on the AI-exposed answer.
Smith said that Microsoft could understand anxiety around AI in the classroom but argued that waiting was not an option.
“I don’t know that anyone wants to slow down the use of AI,” he said. “You have already seen a third of the people in the state using it and I think that the use is going to be accelerated, especially among those who are younger. So if anything, I think it provides the kind of direction that is needed to help the community providing such direction.”
He emphasized the need for “Gardels” around when and how it was used in the classroom – and underscred that Microsoft did not try to determine the teaching policy. Smith said, “Technology companies will not benefit the world by keeping in charge of education.” “We know our place.”
The program includes a steering committee comprising Microsoft, education and government leaders.
For Microsoft, Elevate Washington is both philanthropic and strategic steps. The company stands to deepen its long -term presence in Washington’s classroom, while its products are the basis for digital education when introducing AI equipment to the next generation workers.
It strengthens the image of Microsoft as a citizen and economic pillar of the state of Washington – even as it stresses its relationship with policy makers. This year, Smith has criticized the state leaders for the view of Washington’s tax and described the disappearance of economic development from the political agenda.
On Thursday, his tune was focused on cooperation. The company is working to train teachers all over the state with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington Education Association and other partners. Microsoft will also encourage employees to teach digital literacy for volunteers through programs such as “Hour of AI”.
Asked about how much Microsoft was investing in Elevate Washington, Smith told Gikwire that he had no specific number but added that “it is not small.”
Speaking at an event in July about Microsoft Elevate, Smith described it as the next generation of Microsoft Group, which combines the company’s long -term charity and community busy initiative.
A week after Microsoft confirmed the announcement that it was more than 4% of its employees – about 9,000 jobs worldwide – would cut off as part of a broad skill. Since mid -May, the company has cut around 15,000 jobs worldwide, including over 3,100 in the state of Washington.
The elevate program is both the dual role of Microsoft, the top power of AI development and the underscore as an organization that nerves the disrupted consequences of the technology created by it.
On Thursday, the comedy actor Trevor Noah, the “chief question officer” of the organization as well as the code.R.R.GO. We will have more coverage after us.