Tools & Platforms
Microsoft, OpenAI Partner With AFT to Train Teachers on AI
Major technology companies that create artificial intelligence products—including Anthropic, Microsoft, and OpenAI—are teaming up with the American Federation of Teachers to provide free AI teacher training.
The companies have pledged $23 million combined over five years to the effort, including the creation of a National Academy for AI Instruction, a brick-and-mortar facility in New York City. The facility will begin instruction with New York City educators this fall and then expand nationally.
The partnership will offer teachers continuing education credits, credentials and certifications, workshops, online courses, and training sessions. It will also provide continuous support and resources to keep educators in the loop on the latest AI advancements. The academy will use educator feedback and “actual classroom experiences” to tweak and improve its work.
Ultimately, the initiative plans to support 400,000 educators, according to the AFT, a 1.8-million-member union.
“Teachers are facing huge challenges, which include navigating AI wisely, ethically and safely,” said Randi Weingarten, the president of AFT, at an event held at the headquarters of the union’s New York City affiliate, the United Federation of Teachers, and streamed online.
When a powerful version of Open AI’s ChatGPT emerged in 2022, “we knew it would fundamentally change our world,” Weingarten said. “The question was whether we would be chasing it or whether we would try to harness it?”
The initiative will help educators better understand how the technology can be used for teaching and learning, explore issues related to student safety and privacy, and figure out how to help their students prepare for an economy in which AI tools will be used extensively, Weingarten said.
The approach will keep teachers—not the technology—at the center of instruction, she added. “Human beings, not the machine, are in charge of education, and that the tool should be one that is used by educators, by the public, by kids, not the other way around,” Weingarten said.
Are pledges enough to get real traction on AI training?
The AFT announcement comes on the heels of a White House-sponsored pledge signed by 68 businesses and nonprofit organizations—including two of the corporations partnering with AFT: Microsoft and OpenAI—to support the teaching of AI skills in schools.
The organizations are promising to “provide resources that foster early interest in AI technology, promote AI literacy and proficiency, and enable comprehensive AI training for educators,” according to a statement published by the Trump administration. (See the full statement and list of participating organizations here.)
More specifically, the organizations said they would offer “resources” in the form of “funding, grants, educational materials and curricula, technology and tools, workforce development resources and/or technical expertise and mentorship.”
The pledge does not include specifics, such as how much money an organization might provide and for whom, whether educational materials would be sold to families or school districts for profit or offered up free of charge, and how many hours companies might devote to providing technological know-how to educators.
The pledge also doesn’t say whether companies will work directly with publicschool districts, private schools, or families homeschooling their children.
Though it’s nice to see so many organizations publicly express interest in helping children and educators navigate AI, it would be better to see “fewer pledges and more proactive action [with companies saying] ‘here’s what we’re going to do,’” and the federal government checking to ensure that they aren’t making false promises about the safety or efficacy of particular products, said Amelia Vance, the president of the Public Interest Privacy Center, a nonprofit organization that aims to help educators safeguard student data privacy.
The funding that Anthropic, OpenAI, and Microsoft are committing to the AFT initiative is more meaningful—there’s a clear dollar amount attached to it, Vance said.
“It’s nice to see money [put toward] this,” Vance said. But she also wants to see the companies “step up and not exaggerate what AI can and cannot do.”
And she hopes the AI training that teachers receive through the initiative makes it clear that there are plenty of ways educators can use AI tools without violating student data privacy. For instance, instead of saying: “I need an Individual Learning Progam for Bill Johnson, a 5th grader with dyslexia” teachers could say “please send five IEP reading goals for a 5th grader with dyslexia,” Vance said.
The White House pledge and AFT’s partnerships build on an overall trend toward more professional development in AI.
Over the past school year, a growing number of districts began training teachers on AI or encouraging them to experiment with the technology, research shows. The number of districts that trained teachers on generative AI more than doubled from 2023 to 2024, according to an analysis by the research and policy firm RAND Corp., released this spring.
In the fall of 2024, 48% of districts reported they had trained teachers on AI use—up from 23% in the fall of 2023. If districts follow their plans for the current school year, nearly three-quarters will have provided AI training to educators by the fall of 2025, RAND predicted.
Tools & Platforms
Google signs 200 MW fusion energy deal to power future AI
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Google has taken a major step toward the future of clean energy by partnering with Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), an MIT spin-out working to build one of the world’s first commercial fusion reactors. This Google fusion deal marks a pivotal moment for the tech giant as it looks to secure reliable, carbon-free power for its growing AI operations.
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A person browses Google on a laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Inside Google’s historic fusion power deal
Google will purchase 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity from CFS’s planned ARC fusion power plant in Chesterfield County, Virginia. This amount of power could support roughly 150,000 to 200,000 homes. More likely, it will help run Google’s expanding network of AI data centers. The actual usage will depend on how Google allocates the electricity.
This is Google’s first energy deal involving fusion technology. It is also the largest fusion power purchase agreement signed so far. The ARC plant is projected to begin operations in the early 2030s, though fusion projects often face delays. While the electricity does not yet exist, the deal highlights growing demand for long-term, clean energy solutions.
Steam rises from cooling towers at a nuclear facility. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How nuclear fusion works and why it matters for clean energy
Fusion is the same process that powers the sun. Instead of splitting atoms like traditional nuclear power, fusion forces hydrogen atoms to fuse together at extremely high temperatures. This reaction releases enormous amounts of energy. It does not produce greenhouse gases or long-lived radioactive waste.
Scientists have worked on fusion for decades, but no one has produced fusion power at commercial scale yet. CFS aims to change that with its SPARC demonstration reactor, now under construction in Massachusetts. The larger ARC plant is planned to deliver commercial fusion energy.
Hands framing the sun during a bright orange sunset. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Google invests in fusion to meet rising AI energy demands
Google’s energy needs are growing quickly as it scales up artificial intelligence models and data infrastructure. Since 2010, the company has invested in renewable sources like wind, solar, and geothermal. However, these sources are not always available when needed.
Fusion could solve this problem by providing round-the-clock clean energy. By signing this agreement, Google is securing future power and helping to speed up fusion technology development. The company has also expanded its investment in CFS to support the ARC project.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Google’s new partnership with CFS is the largest fusion energy deal ever signed. The company will purchase 200 MW of clean power from a future reactor in Virginia. The ARC plant is expected to come online in the early 2030s. Google is the first major company to sign on as a customer for commercial fusion energy. Unlike traditional nuclear power, fusion produces no carbon emissions and no long-lived radioactive waste. It also offers consistent, 24/7 electricity. As Google’s AI systems drive up energy demand, this deal shows how tech companies are looking beyond wind and solar for scalable, future-proof solutions. If CFS delivers, fusion could finally move from science experiment to real-world power source.
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Tools & Platforms
Nvidia Stock Hits 4 Trillion Valuation Becomes AI Backbone
What began as a darling of the gaming community is now the power plant of the AI revolution. In a milestone that sets it at the epicenter of the artificial intelligence revolution, Nvidia has become the first public company to achieve a $4 trillion market capitalization. The shareholders are quite hooked, the competitors are definitely spooked, while the rest are just wondering how this chipmaker ended up as the star of the whole digital economy. U.S chipmaker Nvidia reached the milestone on Wednesday after its shares rose 2.5% in early trading, hitting an intraday record high that shocked Wall Street and the international technology community.
The Revamped Chipmaker
Nvidia’s climb has been nothing less than remarkable. It has risen about 20% this year alone due to its pivotal role in fueling AI infrastructure. Its graphics processing units (GPUs), which used to be cherished solely by PC game enthusiasts, are now the main technology. It is powering AI model training and cloud services consumed by tech giants such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.
The firm’s growth path can be dated back to May 2023, when it initially reached the $1 trillion level. A year later, it has more than multiplied that figure, this is something that no other company has managed to achieve so quickly. With $44.1 billion in quarterly revenue through April, up 69% year over year, Nvidia’s numbers don’t lag behind its valuation.
Nvidia’s Role in the AI Boom
At the core of Nvidia’s superiority is its evident position as the underlying provider of AI infrastructure. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives said,
“There is one company in the world that is the foundation for the AI Revolution and that is Nvidia”.
The recent release of the Blackwell Ultra chip, which is optimized to run complex reasoning and next-generation AI workloads, shows how Nvidia continues to redefine computing.
Worldwide investment in AI infrastructure will exceed $200 billion by 2028, and Nvidia is well-positioned to gain. Its chips are no longer merely tools, they are transforming into the gold standard for constructing and growing AI models.
Running Ahead of Apple and Microsoft
While Apple and Microsoft have long fought for the crown as the world’s most valuable corporation, Nvidia has surged past them both. Apple, which came into 2024 with almost $3.9 trillion, has weakened in recent months due to economic uncertainty and policy headwinds. Microsoft, with a market value around $3.77 trillion, temporarily caught up with Nvidia but lagged behind as the chip maker’s stock surged. This isn’t symbolic victory alone, rather it indicates a change in market leadership. Semiconductors and AI infrastructure are taking over from consumer electronics and software as the market’s leading growth driver.
Challenges Persist
Nvidia’s rise has not been smooth. This year, China’s DeepSeek shook things up with its low-priced AI model, raising the possibility of less costly, more efficient versions that would cut into Nvidia’s pricey hardware. In combination with U.S restrictions on AI chip exports to China, which cost Nvidia an estimated $2.5 billion in lost revenue, the company’s stock declined by as much as 37% from January to April. Nvidia recovered firmly, up 74% since early April, which is a reflection of investor confidence in its vision and long-term technological superiority. With Huang leading, Nvidia is moving into autonomous robots, cars, and high-end industrial AI models, indicating that the company’s horizon looks way beyond chips and servers.
$6 Trillion Projection
Analysts think that Nvidia’s ride is just getting started. In a recent report, Loop Capital estimated the company might hit a $6 trillion market capitalization by 2028, based on its near-monopoly position in AI-vital technologies. Loop Capital’s analysts Ananda Baruah and Alek Valero wrote,
“While it may seem fantastic that (Nvidia) fundamentals can continue to amplify from current levels, we remind folks that (Nvidia) remains essentially a monopoly for critical tech in the AI sector”.
Significant Moment for the Modern AI Era
Nvidia’s $4 trillion achievement is not just a marketplace milestone, it’s a paradigm shift in what tech leadership looks like today. As Apple awed us with gadgets and Microsoft constructed empires in the realm of enterprise software, Nvidia went on and constructed the digital foundation of the future world. Its graphics processors, which were long stereotyped as existing only in gaming machines, now drive everything from ChatGPT to autonomous cars. However, its real brilliance is its strategic placement. It does not compete with Google, Amazon, or Microsoft, rather it empowers them.
This positions Nvidia as the backbone and less of a brand that is competing to dominate. There are risks, from escalating competition to geopolitical volatility, but with a constant rate of innovation, Nvidia isn’t only leading the AI revolution, it’s creating it.
Tools & Platforms
How can AI enhance project-based learning?
Dive Brief:
- With proper guidelines and accountability frameworks, artificial intelligence tools can enhance the project-based learning experience for both educators and students, said Jessica Garner, senior director of innovative learning at International Society for Technology in Education.
- “Technology should not be this isolated thing that happens outside of curriculum, instruction and teaching and learning and all of those different pieces,” said Garner, who has experience training educators on the intersection of technology and curriculum.
- Garner emphasized that when leading AI training specifically, it’s important to focus on how to use the technology to improve the learning experience for students.
Dive Insight:
Project-based learning involves students spending an extended period working on a project that addresses a real-world problem or answers a complex question. This approach has been shown to enhance student engagement and improve student outcomes.
When incorporating AI in the classroom, Garner suggests that students should learn to utilize AI as a tool that enhances their learning rather than having it do the work for them. She said that project-based learning instruction particularly lends itself to work alongside AI for several reasons.
For one, since project-based learning already connects class material to real-world problems, Garner said, students are more likely to discern whether their use of AI will enhance or hinder their learning.
“If students see value in the assignment, they want to do what’s more helpful to their learning,” Garner said.
Project-based learning instruction can be intimidating for educators who may not know where to start. AI, Garner said, can serve as a thought partner in this scenario. When educators input the type of lesson they are trying to create — along with the goals and standards the lesson must meet — the AI tool can generate project assignments and activities for each stage of the project, she said.
For students, Garner said, AI can also serve as a way to receive feedback, and depending on the problem or project, AI can potentially help draft part of it.
Garner explained that students can input their ideas and any challenges they’re facing and receive some initial guidance before meeting with their teacher. She added that AI can also help coach students on delivering presentations by having them record themselves and ask AI for feedback on what they could have done better.
“When I think about the role of the teacher in the classroom, there’s one teacher and, a lot of times, 30 kids. And even if they’re working in groups, you still have six different groups to try to get to in the classroom,” Garner said. “So if you can use AI as the first level of feedback, students can refine and hone in a little bit on what they’re trying to do, so when the teacher gets to each group, they can provide really targeted, specific feedback.”
However, Garner also cautioned educators to be mindful and to always question and verify the sources the AI tool uses to find information. She said it’s important to make sure that these activities are truly aligned with school and district standards and pedagogical themes.
Similarly, she suggests that schools and districts ensure they have their own acceptable use guidelines for AI. Garner said that in a lot of cases, they don’t necessarily need a brand new policy, but they do need to look at their existing policies to make sure that whatever tools their teachers want to use are covered, as well.
ISTE also provides hands-on AI project resources for different grade levels on its website.
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