Microsoft Introduces Comprehensive AI Privacy Measures for Students

WHO:

ABC News - Microsoft, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Josh Golin (executive director of Fairplay), Randi Weingarten (AFT President), Brad Smith (Microsoft’s vice chair and president), Elizabeth Laird (director at the Center for Democracy and Technology).

ABC News - OpenAI and Anthropic (two leading AI companies).

WHAT:

ABC News - Microsoft announced it will adopt AI privacy standards for schools, negotiated with the AFT.

ABC News - The agreement is legally binding and requires third-party audits for compliance.

ABC News - Microsoft will not use student or educator data to train AI systems, with a narrow exception for data that could help protect students.

ABC News - The agreement prohibits AI features designed to foster emotional attachment or dependency.

ABC News - Microsoft plans to extend the agreement to every school district across the country starting Nov. 1.

ABC News - New York City and Los Angeles school districts announced a one-year moratorium on student use of AI.

WHERE:

ABC News - New York City and Los Angeles school districts.

WHEN:

ABC News - The standards will apply to all schools that Microsoft has contracts with starting Nov. 1.

ABC News - The AFT’s National Academy for AI Instruction for teachers launched a year ago.

WHY:

ABC News - The agreement aims to address concerns about data privacy and the role of AI in education.

ABC News - Randi Weingarten stated the agreement is important for giving parents and educators control over kids' education.

HOW:

ABC News - Microsoft’s agreement includes audit and transparency measures requiring disclosure to families about how its tools work.

ABC News - The AFT is in discussions with OpenAI and Anthropic regarding similar safety and privacy pacts.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 01:59 UTC)

Microsoft has announced a legally binding agreement to adopt AI privacy standards for schools, negotiated with the American Federation of Teachers, which includes third-party audits for compliance. The agreement ensures that Microsoft will not use student or educator data to train AI systems, with a narrow exception for data that could help protect students, and it prohibits AI features designed to foster emotional attachment or dependency. Starting November 1, this agreement will extend to every school district across the country, while New York City and Los Angeles have already implemented a one-year moratorium on student use of AI.