Are AI Startups Investing In Teachers Learning AI A Good Move For Education?

A group of leading AI companies and teachers’ unions have launched the National Academy for AI Instruction, a five-year programme set to train 400,000 teachers across the United States. OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic have pledged a combined $23 million to the initiative, which is the largest corporate investment so far in AI education for teachers.

OpenAI is contributing $10 million over 5 years. This includes $8 million in direct funds and $2 million worth of technical support and computing access. The project has the backing of the American Federation of Teachers and the United Federation of Teachers. Together, they want to make sure teachers lead the way in using and shaping AI in schools.

The academy will begin with a central hub in New York City opening this autumn. More centres are expected to follow in different states by 2030. The aim is to offer free AI training that matches what teachers actually need in classrooms.

 

What Is This Project For?

 

Quite a number of educators are already using AI tools as is. While many welcome the help, there is a need for proper training and rules on how to use these tools responsibly.

Teachers’ unions believe this programme will prevent them from being left behind as AI becomes more common in schools. The unions also want to make sure that AI does not replace teachers but instead supports them.

 

What Will The Academy Actually Do?

 

The academy will run workshops, online courses, and in-person training. It will prioritise support for schools that often have fewer resources. Teachers will also get access to OpenAI’s tools, API credits, and technical help to build their own classroom tools.

The courses are designed with both practicality and fairness in mind. They will cover how to use AI while keeping teaching standards intact. The curriculum has not been fully detailed, but the main goal is to make sure educators feel confident using AI in their work.

 

Is This Good For Education?

 

Experts have shared their thoughts surrounding whether or not AI training for teachers is a good thing.

 

Our Experts:

 

• Bob Bilbruck, CEO, Captjur
• Tamsin Deasey-Weinstein, National AI Strategist, Cayman Islands
• Noor Al-Naseri, Independent FinTech & Crypto Compliance Advisor, Forbes Advisor
• Simon Bones, Founder and CEO, Genous
• Ian Gaughran, CEO, Olive For Education
• Dr Farshad Badie, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Informatics, Berlin School of Business and Innovation
• Mike Greene, Entrepreneur, Growth Mentor, Consultant, And Speaker

 

Bob Bilbruck, CEO, Captjur

 

 

“Teachers learning AI is a great idea and is great for education. Teachers need to know about AI as their students are using it frequently and teachers need to at least understand the basics of the tools. If they implement the usage of AI into their lesson plans this would event be better. Much like the internet of the early 90’s AI is going to change the way we work and the way we learn – Teachers that embrace this change are going to put their students ahead of the curve in the real world.

“Also, I have always believed Knowledge is Power, so the more knowledgeable we are about a topic or technology the more understanding we have to help implement this – teachers are the start of the development for these kids to master a technology that is world changing and will be used by every person in their daily life – if they know they are using it or not.”

 

Tamsin Deasey-Weinstein, National AI Strategist, Cayman Islands

 

 

“The recent announcement from Microsoft, Anthropic and OpenAI, that they are co-investing $23M in a National Academy for AI instruction, to upskill American teachers in AI, is a pivotal moment for global education.

“As someone who has led national AI education strategies, published on AI’s impact in workforce transformation, and worked directly with governments and universities to bridge the skills gap, I see this as a hugely positive development, if approached with care and inclusivity.

“Teachers and professors are the frontline of preparing students for the future. If they don’t understand and utilize AI, how can they teach the future workforce, who quite frankly will be unemployable without these skills?

“We also need to be aware that teachers not only have to teach technical skills, but just as importantly, need to understand AI ethics, data privacy, and the impact of automation on business, society and jobs. Fundamentally, we need to know how to use AI, but also how not to.

“The AI economy has also moved at lightning speed. Leaving many economies facing a significant shortage of digital and AI skills. Training teachers is a fast and scalable way to reach every student, ensuring that AI literacy is not limited to a privileged few but is accessible by all.

“As my research and experience in the Caribbean and beyond have shown, the most successful AI education initiatives are those that put teachers at the center. They play a crucial role in upskilling the workforce of both today and tomorrow. AI is not going away. It will keep picking up pace. Investing heavily in teacher education is a genius move by AI companies and one that will benefit mankind for the future.”

 

 

Noor Al-Naseri, Independent FinTech & Crypto Compliance Advisor, Forbes Advisor

 

 

“This is indeed an investment of great value which is justified. Equipping teachers with the knowledge and skills of AI technology goes beyond improving education; it is pivotal for shaping a new generation that is ready to embrace the challenges of the future. Because of their role, educators can help students to navigate the ethical, practical, and artistic dimensions of these technologies.

“With that in mind, there is no room for unrestricted exploration. For AI training to be truly transformative, it must be rooted in a well-defined national curriculum. This foundational structure should embed digital responsibility, hands-on learning, and critical analysis instead of mere industry how-to guides. The aim is not to turn teachers into technology advocates, but to prepare those in the classroom to guide students through an AI-centric landscape.

“Getting this right has the potential to give education unprecedented transformative power in decades.”

 

Simon Bones, Founder and CEO, Genous

 

 

“A wealth tax could impact entrepreneurs in two ways: first, should a putative valuation of a business that hasn’t been sold or where the shares haven’t been realised be included in entrepreneurs’ or investors’ wealth caclulations and taxed accordingly, and (b) what does it do to the incentive to build a business in the first place.

“The first is the biggest risk for entrepreneurs. An illiquid major shareholding in a business that may or may not end up being worth anything is tough to get taxed against; if the entrepreneur scrapes everything they have to fund a business, should they be taxed when they may not even be drawing a salary and can’t pay? Do they get refunded if the business goes under subsequently? And what about wealthy investors who may worry that their risky investments will cost them and may still never pay out?

“The best approach here would be to give an exemption for unquoted shareholdings in start-up businesses (longstanding family firms that aren’t quoted shouldn’t get the same exemptions). There are some practical challenges in that but we have SEIS/EIS/VCT schemes that variously try to define what a risky start-up is, and something similar could be built. Do this properly and it also gives a financial incentive to risking existing wealth on investing in or starting new ventures, supporting innovation.

“As to the second argument that wealth taxes disincentivise entrepreneurship? Here, this is a self-serving argument with far less practical validity. As someone who has benefited from the then entrepreneur’s relief, I can say that I was delighted to qualify for it but it had absolutely nothing to do with the decision of whether to start up a business.

“And any entrepreneur who would not start a business because they expect it to be so valuable that it would incur wealth taxes (which are only levied at pretty high personal valuations in most contexts) and they object sufficiently in principle to paying tax on such gains that this becomes a barrier either (a) is delusional; (b) has a serious lack of judgement, or (c) is probably sufficiently unpleasant that most of us would prefer they wasted their shareholders’ investments in another jurisdiction.”

 

Ian Gaughran, CEO, Olive For Education

 

 

“For too long, technology has outpaced the support systems needed for teachers to use it effectively. This investment acknowledges a critical truth, that meaningful integration of AI in education starts with the people at the front of the classroom. While representing a significant cultural shift, it’s one with tangible benefits, holding enormous potential for both educators and their students.

“We [at At Olive for Education] believe that with the right tools and training, teachers can harness AI to enhance, not replace, human-led learning. From simplifying administrative tasks to personalising learning journeys, AI can help free up educators to do what they do best – teach, inspire, and connect. The key will be ensuring that this training is practical, inclusive, and aligned with real classroom challenges. If done well, this move can build teacher confidence, improve learning outcomes, and prepare students for a future where AI is part of everyday life. This is more than a tech upgrade, this is an opportunity to future proof teaching itself.”

 

Dr Farshad Badie, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Informatics, Berlin School of Business and Innovation

 

 

“Investing in teachers’ AI literacy is absolutely a positive step. In my opinion, it can enable educators and educationalists to leverage AI tools and frameworks for the development of personalised learning and creative/critical thinking. AI training equips teachers and mentors to integrate technology thoughtfully. This can ensure that AI complements (and is supportive) rather than replaces human instruction. However, programmes must be continuous and updated.

“The reason is that rapid AI advancements demand ongoing learning. Ethical frameworks are critical to prevent biases (as well as to prevent over-automation). This ensures that AI serves diverse student needs and requirements (both conditionally and systematically). Training should avoid corporate-driven agendas to maintain educational integrity and prioritise student-centric outcomes.”

 

Mike Greene, Entrepreneur, Growth Mentor, Consultant, And Speaker

 

 

“I think it’s not just great news, it’s necessary news… and I say that as a certified behavioural profiler, someone who’s been recognised with a Doctorate in Education, and someone who trains hundreds of business owners and entrepreneurs who openly say they felt failed by the education system.

“We don’t need an evolution in education, we need a revolution, and AI is the most exciting catalyst we’ve seen. The current model is outdated. It’s rigid, overly focused on testing, and forces teachers to teach to the middle of the room. That inevitably leaves some bored and others bewildered.

“AI, on the other hand, allows for true personalisation. It doesn’t get frustrated, doesn’t judge, and doesn’t care how many questions you ask or when you ask them. It adapts to your pace, your energy, and your style of learning – something traditional classrooms simply can’t do.

“If children are given the tools and trusted to steer themselves towards goals using AI, it should also free up valuable teaching time. That time can be better spent with teachers acting as tutors – focusing on each student’s individual questions, strengths, and sticking points – rather than being stuck delivering a one-size-fits-all (or as I often say, one-size-fails-all) lesson plan.

“In my view, within 10 years, schools will look completely different. The physical environment will be more about social development, collaboration, and creativity, while academic learning will be driven by intelligent, responsive systems that actually serve the learner.

“This investment into teachers understanding AI is long overdue – and it’s the first proper step towards unlocking an education system that finally meets learners where they are.”