Microsoft Launches AI Education Initiative – Helping Education Leaders Build Future-Ready Schools

Microsoft unveiled a sweeping education initiative last week to expand AI training and professional development for educators and offer free advanced AI tools to every high school and community college student in the Washington state. The program, Microsoft Elevate Washington reflects “an investment in our home state on a level that will not be matched anywhere else,” said Brad Smith, Microsoft President and Vice Chair. 

Microsoft will provide up to 10 school districts and 10 community colleges with $25,000 in dedicated technology consulting to help them build and deploy AI agents tailored to their teaching and workplace needs. The company will then help these institutions spread what they learn to administrators and educators across the state to jump-start AI expertise more broadly. A statewide steering committee, including leaders from Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington Education Association, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson office, Washington Student Achievement Council, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and Washington STEM, will guide the initiative. 

Microsoft studied AI use across the state and found wide disparities, with rural counties far behind the Puget Sound region. Elevate Washington will help schools close opportunity gaps, empower teachers, and prepare students for jobs and college programs of the future. The steering committee wants to help Washington students become the most prepared in the nation for responsible, innovative use of AI.  

Microsoft Elevate Washington builds on the company’s global announcement of Microsoft Elevate, a new business unit focused on supporting schools, colleges, and nonprofits with technology, training, and funding. Read more about the program: Microsoft Elevate Washington: World-class AI for every student and teacher, right here at home – Microsoft On the Issues.