Microsoft to bring AI to WA classrooms amid urban, rural tech divide

Core Points - Microsoft is set to provide its AI technology to all public school districts and community colleges in Washington as part of a nationwide initiative to enhance AI training and usage in education [1][2] - The initiative, named Microsoft Elevate Washington, includes a commitment of $4 billion in technology-focused grants and free access to AI tools over the next five years [2] - Microsoft will offer $25,000 grants to help create and deploy AI tools, targeting 10 school districts and 10 community colleges [3] Education and Training - The program will provide public school students in Washington with access to Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 desktop apps, Learning Accelerators, and Teams for Education for up to three years starting in July 2026 [7] - Community college students will receive a year of Microsoft 365 Personal, which includes AI-powered Copilot features [8] - AI-specific training for teachers will be provided, focusing on how to integrate AI into the classroom and teach AI skills [8] Economic Impact - Microsoft President Brad Smith highlighted the growing importance of AI in the workforce, indicating that familiarity with AI tools will likely lead to better job prospects [5] - There is a notable technology and opportunity gap between urban and rural areas in Washington, with over 30% of the working-age population in urban counties using AI, compared to 0% to 10% in some rural counties [6] - The initiative aims to prepare students for future job markets and ensure Washington remains a hub for technology and entrepreneurship [10]