Microsoft Unveils First-of-Its-Kind AI Safety Standard for Schools

A landmark agreement has been reached between Microsoft and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), outlining new standards for the use of artificial intelligence in schools. The National AI Safety & Privacy Standard, unveiled on Wednesday, sets out to address concerns over student data collection and AI decision-making.

Under the deal, Microsoft has agreed not to collect or use student or teacher data for training or improving its AI models, except in limited safety and security circumstances. The company must also provide clear information about how its AI tools work, what data is collected, and what safeguards are in place.

AFT President Randi Weingarten called the agreement a 'first-of-its-kind' safeguard developed in response to a lack of federal and state regulations governing AI in schools. Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said the company plans to offer the protections to every school district in the country beginning November 1.

The AFT is also in discussions with OpenAI and Anthropic about adopting similar standards. The agreement includes 10 legally enforceable protections covering privacy, safety, transparency, and school control of AI technology. School districts will be able to incorporate these provisions directly into their Microsoft contracts, allowing them to seek damages if the company violates the agreement.