Illustration, AI-generated from the story text. Tap a panel to read the story through it.
The standard Microsoft negotiated with the American Federation of Teachers in September applies from today to every school Microsoft has a contract with.
Microsoft will not train AI on student or educator data, apart from a narrow exception for student protection, and cannot sell that data or use it for advertising or product development.
The pact bans AI companion features "designed to foster emotional attachment or dependency," requires plain-language disclosure to families, and the union says it is legally binding with third-party audits.
Google has not said whether it will match it, and OpenAI and Anthropic were reported in talks with the union on their own agreements.
Microsoft's AI rules for schools take effect today: no training on student data, no companions
The standard Microsoft negotiated with the American Federation of Teachers in September applies from today to every school Microsoft has a contract with. Microsoft will not train AI on student or educator data, apart from a narrow exception for student protection, and cannot sell that data or use it for advertising or product development. The pact bans AI companion features "designed to foster emotional attachment or dependency," requires plain-language disclosure to families, and the union says it is legally binding with third-party audits.
Google has not said whether it will match it, and OpenAI and Anthropic were reported in talks with the union on their own agreements. SourcesB
Sources
This story ran in the Morning Brief of November 1st 2026.