Microsoft and AFT give school districts ten AI rules they can put into contracts
Microsoft, AFT and UFT have agreed ten safety and privacy rules for artificial intelligence in schools. The terms prohibit using student or educator data for model training and ban AI companions, while requiring human review of high-risk decisions. From November, US school districts will be able to make the provisions enforceable by adding them to their Microsoft contracts.
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Student data is closed off from model training
Microsoft, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and its New York affiliate, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), signed a ten-point safety and privacy standard for artificial intelligence used in schools. The Verge and Microsoft's announcement say student and educator data will not be used to train models, sold or repurposed. The terms also require the company to limit the data it collects in the first place, leave retention and deletion decisions with schools, and describe in plain language to families how its tools work.[1], [2]
Human review is required for high-risk decisions
The rules prohibit AI companions designed to form emotional relationships with students and require human oversight for high-risk decisions. The safety provisions make avoiding harmful or manipulative experiences and protecting sensitive information part of product design. Families must be able to see what data is collected and what safeguards apply. Schools retain control over when and how artificial intelligence is used, while Microsoft agrees to communicate product changes, risks and controls clearly.[1], [2]
The standard can become contract language in November
From November, US school districts can add the provisions to new or existing Microsoft customer agreements without renegotiating the whole contract. The agreement also allows districts to end contracts or seek damages. The standard follows one-year bans on AI tools for many students in New York City and Los Angeles. AFT is also running an AI training centre for educators backed by Microsoft, Anthropic and OpenAI.[1], [2]
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