Teachers test-drive AI as schools give mixed signals on rules

At a New York City training, educators explored how artificial intelligence could support teaching.

Huddled around tables on the 19th floor of a Manhattan office building, about 50 public school teachers recently grilled their newest classroom assistants — questioning them on lesson plans, student privacy laws and even water consumption.

The assistants thought for a moment, ebulliently thanked the teachers for their questions, and then shared detailed, professional answers.

Instead of interviewing fresh college graduates or professionals making midcareer pivots, the educators were interacting with artificial intelligence chatbots, getting a taste of how several AI tools could help them in the classroom.

The teachers had gathered from across the city to learn how AI systems can support teaching, planning and student engagement as part of a growing effort by the National Academy for AI Instruction. The academy is a joint project of the American Federation of Teachers, its New York City affiliate (the United Federation of Teachers) and several private-sector AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic. The academy aims to help educators understand and practice using rapidly evolving AI tools.