OpenAI Academy to Train 1,600 K-12 Educators in AI Skills Jams Across 8 U.S. Cities
Updated
Updated · OpenAI · Jul 8
OpenAI Academy to Train 1,600 K-12 Educators in AI Skills Jams Across 8 U.S. Cities
3 articles · Updated · OpenAI · Jul 8
Summary
More than 1,600 teachers, administrators and district leaders will attend OpenAI Academy’s in-person AI Skills Jams this summer, a new U.S. training push for K-12 schools.
Eight stops from Georgia to Nevada will pair participants with OpenAI mentors for hands-on workshops on lesson planning, parent communication, administrative work and other daily school tasks.
Walton Family Foundation is partnering on the program, which OpenAI says is meant to address limited practical support as educators face rapid technological change and rising workloads.
Gallup and Walton research cited by OpenAI found teachers using AI at least weekly estimate saving 5.9 hours a week—about six school weeks a year—which they redirect to feedback, lesson planning and family communication.
Participants will also be linked to OpenAI Academy’s free online platform, underscoring OpenAI’s broader goal of building longer-term relationships and responsible AI adoption in education.
As AI saves teachers hours weekly, what are the hidden costs for student privacy and data?
If AI automates lesson plans and grading, what will become a teacher's most valuable human skill?
With big tech training educators, who will ultimately shape the future of America's classrooms?
Scaling AI Literacy: Inside the National Academy’s Plan to Train 400,000 Teachers for Responsible AI in Schools
Overview
The National Academy for AI Instruction, launched by major teachers’ unions and backed by a $23 million donation from AI founders, has quickly become a central hub for training educators in safe, people-first AI integration. Drawing inspiration from successful union-industry partnerships, the Academy works with key partners like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic to empower teachers and improve student learning. Its mission focuses on building AI literacy and fostering critical thinking, using a responsive, teacher-led approach. By training educators nationwide, the Academy aims to ensure ethical, effective AI use in classrooms and bridge gaps in access to AI education.