Microsoft is bringing artificial intelligence to every public classroom in its home state — and sparking new questions about its role in education.

The Redmond tech giant on Thursday unveiled Microsoft Elevate Washington, a sweeping new initiative that will provide free access to AI-powered software and training for all 295 public school districts and 34 community and technical colleges across Washington state.

The program is part of Microsoft Elevate, the company’s broader $4 billion, five-year commitment to support schools and nonprofits with AI tools and training that was announced in July.

  • DaddleDew@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    28
    ·
    edit-2
    1 month ago

    Reminds me of Nestlé when they offered to young African mothers a “free trial” of just enough baby formula to cause their natural milk production to shut down, leaving them afterwards the choice of either paying for more baby formula or letting their child starve.

  • Blaster M@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    17
    ·
    edit-2
    1 month ago

    Actually, kids should be educated on how AI does and does not work. Make sure they learn for the test that AI LLMs aren’t accurate in a lot of things.

  • LEM 1689
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    9
    ·
    1 month ago

    Hey, kid! Here, try this. I’ll let you have it for free. It’s good shit!

  • Drusas@fedia.io
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    9
    ·
    1 month ago

    On the one hand, kids should be learning relevant technology in school. On the other hand… Well, I guess I just wish this wasn’t relevant technology.