Microsoft Agrees to Safety Protections for Students Using Its AI Products

A recent deal between Microsoft and two major teachers' unions has sparked both praise and criticism in the ongoing debate over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in schools. The agreement, negotiated by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and United Federation of Teachers (UFT), includes 10 legally enforceable protections for students and teachers.

The deal prohibits Microsoft from using student or teacher data to train AI models except in narrow safety and security circumstances. Additionally, it requires that only necessary data be collected and processed, that all data belongs exclusively to the school and students, and that tools support educators and students without replacing human judgment.

However, not everyone is celebrating the deal. Josh Golin, executive director of Fairplay, an advocacy group focused on children's safety and well-being in the digital age, expressed concern that schools will bear the burden of enforcing the agreement, which he believes should be the responsibility of regulators. He also questioned whether AI products are effective teaching tools for children.

Golin emphasized that Congress has failed to pass legislation governing AI use in schools, leaving agreements like this one as a substitute. He called on schools to implement a five-year pause on all generative AI products until their safety and efficacy can be determined.