Microsoft’s Latest AI Privacy Guidelines for Educational Institutions

Microsoft and Teachers Unions Agree on Privacy Principles for AI Use in Schools

In a recent development, Microsoft has entered into a new agreement with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and its New York City affiliate, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT). This agreement outlines ten principles that school districts can enforce contractually if they choose to adopt them. Some of the key terms include a commitment not to train artificial intelligence (AI) models using student or educator data, limiting the amount of data collected by Microsoft, and providing clear explanations to families about how their tools operate. Additionally, the agreement prohibits the use of AI companions and mandates human review for high-risk decisions.

This agreement follows one-year bans on AI tools recently implemented by both New York City and Los Angeles school districts. These bans were introduced to allow time for consideration of the appropriate use of AI tools and to establish necessary safeguards. With growing resistance from parents and educators to the use of AI and screens in schools, Microsoft’s proactive approach indicates an awareness of potential future decisions. Starting in November, school districts have the option to incorporate these terms into new or existing agreements without the need for complete contract renegotiation.

The AFT has expressed concerns about the use of technology in schools but remains open to collaborating with tech companies to navigate the current wave of AI integration. AFT President Randi Weingarten has advocated for a ban on screens before third grade and restrictions on “student-facing AI” until middle school. However, the union recently announced a $23 million AI training initiative for educators, funded by Anthropic, Microsoft, and OpenAI.

In response to the privacy agreement with Microsoft, Weingarten emphasized the importance of legally enforceable provisions, stating, “We can get angrier and angrier, or we can act decisively; anything less than legally enforceable provisions is simply a wish list.” She highlighted the necessity of such agreements, noting that no other entity, including the federal government, has taken significant steps in this area.