Microsoft Signs Binding AI Privacy Deal With Teachers Unions

Microsoft has signed a legally binding agreement with teachers' unions in the US to restrict its use of student and teacher data for artificial intelligence (AI) training.

The National AI Safety & Privacy Standard, agreed upon by Microsoft, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), prohibits the company from using student or teacher data to train its AI models or track students.

Under the 10-enforceable-protection standard, Microsoft cannot sell student data or use it for advertising, must limit the amount of information it collects, and explain how its tools operate in plain language.

The agreement follows New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's decision to impose a one-year moratorium on AI use for public school students up to eighth grade. Los Angeles Unified has also imposed a broader restriction, blocking generative AI on district devices during the school year.