Microsoft is bringing artificial intelligence to every public classroom in its home state — and raising new questions about its role in education.
The Redmond tech giant on Thursday revealed Microsoft Elevate Washington, a comprehensive new initiative that will provide free access to AI-powered software and training to 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 five-year, $4 billion commitment to support schools and nonprofits with AI tools and training, announced in July.
The Washington-specific effort represents the company’s largest single investment per resident anywhere in the world.
“This is our home,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith at a launch event on the company’s headquarters campus. “A big part of what we’re doing today is investing in our home.”
Some details about the new program:
- The company will offer its Copilot Studio tool – used to create custom AI agents without coding – free for three years starting in January 2026 to school districts and community colleges.
- High school students will receive Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 desktop apps, Learning Accelerators, and Teams for Education free for three years starting in July 2026.
- Community college students will receive one year of Microsoft 365 Personal with Copilot integration.
- Microsoft will fund $25,000 consulting grants for up to 10 school districts and 10 community colleges to help them deploy AI tools.
- The company will partner with state agencies and teachers unions to offer professional development programs and bootcamps for educators.
Smith described the effort as an attempt to close what Microsoft sees as an emerging divide across the state. More than 30% of residents in Seattle-area counties already use AI tools, compared with less than 10% in several rural eastern counties, according to data shared by Smith on Thursday.
“Fundamentally, what we are seeing is not just a technology gap – what we are really seeing is an opportunity gap,” he said.
The program also arrives amid growing uncertainty — and controversy — over the role of AI in education.
Proponents argue that AI can personalize learning, reduce administrative workload and help teachers tailor lessons to each student. Critics warn that this could undermine learning and increase inequalities, especially when students become overly reliant on AI-generated responses.
Smith said Microsoft understands the unease around AI in classrooms, but argued that waiting is not an option.
“I don’t know if it will be possible to slow down the use of AI, even if someone wanted to,” he said. “You already see a third of the state’s population using it, and I think usage will continue to accelerate, especially among younger people. So really, I think it’s about helping the community get up to speed in ways that provide the kind of guidance they need.”
He emphasized the need for “safeguards” around when and how AI is used in classrooms – and stressed that Microsoft does not seek to dictate educational policy. “The world will not benefit from putting technology companies in charge of education,” Smith said. “We know our place.”
The program includes a steering committee made up of leaders from Microsoft, education and government.
For Microsoft, Elevate Washington is a philanthropic and strategic move. The company aims to deepen its long-term presence in Washington classrooms by introducing AI tools to the next generation of workers while positioning its products as fundamental to digital learning.
It also reinforces Microsoft’s image as a civic and economic pillar of Washington state – although its relationship with policymakers has demonstrated tension. Smith this year has criticized state leaders over Washington’s approach to taxation and what he describes as a disappearance of economic development from the political agenda.
On Thursday, his tone turned toward collaboration. The company is working with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Washington Education Association and other partners to train educators across the state. Microsoft will also encourage employees to volunteer through programs like Code.org’s “Hour of AI” to teach digital literacy.
Asked how much Microsoft is investing in Elevate Washington, Smith told GeekWire he didn’t have a specific number, but added that it’s “not small.”
Speaking at a July event about Microsoft Elevate, Smith described it as the next generation of Microsoft Philanthropies, bringing together the company’s long-standing charitable and community engagement initiatives.
That announcement came a week after Microsoft confirmed it would cut an additional 4% of its workforce – about 9,000 jobs worldwide – as part of a broader efficiency drive. Since mid-May, the company has cut about 15,000 jobs worldwide, including more than 3,100 in Washington state.
The Elevate program underscores Microsoft’s dual role as a leading force in AI development and as a company navigating the disruptive consequences of the technology it is creating.
Thursday’s event also included comedian Trevor Noah, the company’s “chief issues officer,” as well as Code.org CEO Hadi Partovi and a panel of Washington educators. We’ll have more coverage later on GeekWire.
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