Microsoft, AFT unveil AI safety and privacy standard for schools

Microsoft and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) unveiled a new AI safety and privacy standard for schools Wednesday, after two of the nation’s largest school districts placed strict new limits on AI use.

The national standard bars student and educator data from being used to train AI models and from being sold or used for advertising. It also requires human oversight of AI models, in addition to ensuring families receive “clear, plain-language guides” about the technology and its safeguards.

Microsoft plans to make the protections available for school districts to add to new or existing contracts starting in November.

“We have forged a hard-fought, iron-clad privacy agreement with real teeth that protects students and families, because no one else, including the federal government, has stepped up to do the real work,” AFT President Randi Weingarten said in a statement.

“We can get angrier and angrier, or we can act decisively; anything less than legally enforceable provisions is simply a wish list,” she continued.

Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith touted the protections for setting a “high bar for child privacy and AI safety,” underscoring that they will be available to every school district across the country.

The agreement comes after both New York City and Los Angeles public schools announced new restrictions on AI for the academic year.

New York City schools banned student-facing AI through eighth grade, with high school students allowed to use prevetted programs. Individual screen time is also limited to students in third grade and above, with guidance to cap one-on-one screen time to 30 to 45 minutes a day up through eighth grade.

The Los Angeles Unified School District also blocked access to generative AI on district devices for all students, according to the Los Angeles Times.