By Alice Chambers |
New AI-powered tools and experiences from Microsoft are designed to help schools, educators and students build the skills and confidence needed to use AI effectively and responsibly.
First, Microsoft has launched Elevate for Educators, a new programme designed to connect educators with a global community, professional development resources and in-demand credentials. It aims to help teachers and school leaders confidently integrate AI into the classroom while preparing students for an AI-enabled future.
“As AI becomes part of everyday learning, our responsibility is to ensure it supports educators and earns the confidence of students and families,” said Justin Spelhaug, president of Microsoft Elevate. “For Microsoft, that means building responsible AI-powered solutions for education in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app secure and grounded in the values that make learning human, while ensuring our educators and schools have the skills and resources through programmes like Elevate for Educators to use these tools effectively.”
Elevate for Educators offers year-round membership, expanded training opportunities and a progressive achievement system that allows educators to advance as they develop new skills. These credentials can support career development and, in some cases, qualify educators for salary progression.
Microsoft is also introducing new AI-powered capabilities built specifically for education. Teach, available in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, helps educators streamline lesson planning, personalise instruction and manage classroom preparation. In addition, Microsoft Learning Zone is a free, AI-powered learning app and the first Copilot+ PC experience created for educators, enabling them to design personalised and adaptive learning activities.
Microsoft is also expanding access to AI-powered tools for students, particularly those preparing to enter the workforce. Microsoft is offering college students 12 months of free Microsoft 365 Premium and LinkedIn Premium Career subscriptions, providing access to productivity applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint with Copilot built in.
These subscriptions also include AI agents such as Researcher and Analyst, designed to help students help with research, analyse information and develop critical thinking skills. By embedding AI into familiar tools, Microsoft aims to help students work more efficiently while learning how to use AI responsibly in academic and professional contexts.