Preparing Educators for the Future: The importance of AI literacy and how to bridge the gap

Kate Maxwell, General Manager Worldwide Education Industry at Microsoft

As an engineer, a mom, and a passionate advocate for STEM education, I have always believed in the transformative power of learning. In today’s rapidly evolving world, where technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping so many facets of our lives, the role of educators and school leaders has never been more critical.

In my conversations with business leaders and educators across the world, one thing is clear—workplace skills and AI are at the forefront of everyone’s minds. There is so much excitement about the possibilities presented by AI, and impact is already being felt in countries, schools, and institutions around the world. Still, there remains some apprehension about how to responsibly integrate AI into teaching and learning. AI transformation is not just about introducing new tools; it is about providing educators with the practical training, resources, and real-world examples to help them confidently integrate AI into their curriculum and every-day activities, while keeping the student experience at the center. 

Empowering Educators and Students Through AI Learning

At Microsoft, we are committed to equipping the next generation of learners, educators, and administrators with cutting-edge AI capabilities and AI skilling resources. By partnering with academic institutions, we provide access to structured AI learning content, skills programs, and certification pathways that enable educators and students to learn, innovate, and be set up for success in an AI-enabled world. Initiatives like Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors help bridge the gap between technology and classroom education, providing the foundation skills needed for higher education (HED) learners to thrive in the workplace of the future.

Over the past year, programs like the Microsoft Learn for Educators (MSLE) Foundational AI Bootcamps, Cybersecurity and AI Bootcamps, Generative AI for Teaching Bootcamps, and Microsoft Copilot Prompt-a-thon Workshop for School Leaders have made a significant impact on AI skilling and adoption. We’ve helped skill more than 6000 faculty members across 110 countries, by providing hands-on learning experiences that help faculty bring AI into classrooms to foster AI literacy for their students and help those students build the AI skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow. By supporting educators in developing AI skills, we’re not just preparing them for today—we’re helping them shape the future of education for generations to come.

“The Microsoft Learn for Educators (MSLE) Foundational AI Bootcamp provided valuable insights into current and emerging technologies in the education sector, highlighting the growing importance of AI awareness and skills for future job requirements. The Copilot tools and Azure [capabilities] will help equip me with essential AI skills. I plan to focus more on self-learning to earn certifications. Thank you for this engaging AI Bootcamp,” said Gerard Nizeyimana, an Assistant Lecturer of Computer Science Education at the University of Rwanda, after participating in the three-day Microsoft Learn for Educators Foundational AI Bootcamp.

“It can be challenging keeping up with emerging technologies. Participating in the MSLE Al Bootcamp equipped my faculty with industry-recognized skills that they can now incorporate into their courses and better equip students with Al competencies in a digital world.”– Dr. Claire Korschinowski, Dean of Instruction, Clover Park Technical College.

“I loved being part of the Microsoft Learn for Educators Al Bootcamp. It’s given me the confidence to teach Al skills to students across all my courses. Al isn’t just for technical degrees, it’s for every student who wants to have a leg up in the job market.” – Ren Tarvin, Instructor, Renton Technical College.

Through our global network of Training Services Partners, we are empowering educational institutions with essential AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity skills—key areas for success in the modern job market.

Educators participating in Microsoft Learn for Educators (MSLE) AI Bootcamps gain the expertise to seamlessly integrate AI into their teaching methodologies and access AI teaching resources to enhance both instruction and student engagement.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive — faculty and teachers are inspired by the capabilities of AI tools like Copilot and are already using them to drive innovation in the classroom while saving valuable time. For example, at Brisbane Catholic Education in Australia, the use of AI-powered productivity tools as part of a Microsoft 365 Copilot trial has helped educators save an average of 9.3 hours per week—streamlining administrative tasks, accelerating lesson planning, and improving access to information. This is an incredible time savings that is helping educators focus on what they do best: student engagement. Read more about their experience. 

AI Training in Action

Another great example of the impact of AI in education is our partnership with Gateway Technical College in Wisconsin, where we recently hosted a Microsoft Learn for Educators AI Bootcamp at the SC Johnson iMET Center. Conducted in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual sessions, this bootcamp equipped technical college instructors with the knowledge and tools to deliver Microsoft AI-900 and AI-102 courses, preparing students for high-demand AI career pathways.

Beyond providing training to educators, Microsoft is also collaborating with Gateway to develop a Data Center Academy, aiming to provide business leaders with the expertise to adopt AI-driven solutions. A local area television network even featured this initiative as part of their AI Series, highlighting its transformative impact on education and workforce development: CBS 58 segment on AI bootcamps.

As another example, Auburn University is embracing AI with Microsoft Copilot and other Microsoft solutions – not just to adopt technology, but to foster a culture of curiosity, innovation, and responsible exploration. Auburn’s partnership with Microsoft is helping them push beyond the traditional classroom—encouraging faculty and students to test the limits of what’s possible with AI, and equipping them with tools that enhance learning, teaching, and digital literacy.

“The institution’s culture comes first—then, the technology’s capabilities. The best technology is useless if you’re not open to testing it and exploring boundaries,” says Vini Nathan, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Auburn University.

“We’re building a culture around how to effectively use AI, and access to programs like Copilot benefits our students tremendously,” says Julie Huff, Assistant Provost for Academic Operations, Facilities, and Initiatives at Auburn. “We’re helping our students understand that these tools both support their academic instruction and complement their professional marketability.” Read more about Auburn University’s AI journey.

Shaping the Future Through AI and Education

By investing in AI literacy, we aim to help inspire and prepare the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and leaders for success in an AI-enabled world and workplace. AI is no longer a distant future; it’s here, and it’s reshaping the way we teach, learn, and work. 

With initiatives like Microsoft Learn for Educators, AI Bootcamps, and Copilot Prompt-a-thons, we are ensuring that educators, students, and professionals alike have access to the skills they need to succeed. 

Together, we can create a future where education and technology go hand in hand, empowering every learner to achieve more, and equipping all learners for success in the future workplace. 

Register for AI Bootcamp for Educators

For more details on AI Bootcamps and how to work with a Training Services Partner, check our page on Microsoft Learn for Educators (MSLE) AI Bootcamp. These bootcamps can help you develop the confidence and skills needed to teach essential AI concepts and empower your students—regardless of their field of study—to be job-ready in today’s evolving workplace. 

Additional resources

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