Microsoft is committed to ensuring that as AI innovation transforms our world, we’re equipping people with the skills, knowledge, and tools to thrive with AI. That’s why we partnered with CSforALL and a coalition of organizations including Code.org to bring educators, students, and communities around the world a new kind of learning experience: Hour of AI. Building on the momentum of Hour of Code and Computer Science (CS) Education Week, Hour of AI is designed to spark curiosity, build foundational skills, and empower 25 million learners of all ages to take their first step into understanding and creating with AI.¹ 

What is Hour of AI? 

Hour of AI is a global initiative designed to make AI literacy accessible, inclusive, and fun. With just one class and no prior experience, educators can engage learners of all ages with interactive activities and guided exploration to understand how AI works and how it’s shaping the world around us. 

With age-appropriate activities for learners at all levels, Hour of AI helps meet educators and students where they are on their own AI learning journeys. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, leading a school district, running an education nonprofit, or simply a parent or caregiver at home who wants to help your student engage with AI, there are ways for you to participate in Hour of AI.  

Explore three new Hour of AI activities from Microsoft 

From surviving the night with the help of an AI agent in Minecraft to coding and competing in Microsoft MakeCode, students can explore AI through familiar games and apps. Download free resources to help facilitate an Hour of AI in your classroom, school, or community and unlock AI education for all your students.

Minecraft Hour of AI: The First Night 

The new activity from Minecraft Education, Hour of AI: The First Night, challenges students to survive their first night in Minecraft, but with an AI twist! They’ll gather resources and build shelter before sunset with the help of AI agents, discovering how algorithms work and tackling problem-solving challenges through guided prompts that connect gameplay to real AI concepts. The First Night activity is available as a free demo in 29 languages, with classroom-ready lesson plans and educator materials.  

Access step-by-step facilitator training to plan and deliver a Minecraft Hour of AI lesson and connect to AI literacy and computer science standards.

Bug Arena from MakeCode 

Bug Arena from MakeCode is a free, game-based tutorial that introduces foundational AI concepts through coding and competition, where students design algorithms for their own Bug and send it into battle against other AI-powered bugs. They’ll write simple code to control movement and strategy, discovering how AI works through hands-on problem-solving, and experimenting to improve their Bug’s performance in real time. Bug Arena is a free, web-based activity, easy to run in any classroom for grades 3–8. 

Slither Slam from Visual Studio Code for Education 

Slither Slam from Visual Studio (VS) Code for Education is a free, game-based lesson designed for high school learners (grades 9–12). The activity gets students coding with AI prompts by using natural language to generate code for a classic Snake game and then competing against other AI snakes in the arena. This hands-on, engaging format helps students learn AI-assisted code generation, experiment with prompts to see how AI interprets instructions, and build confidence in both coding and understanding AI’s role in development.

Download and get setup with the Slither Slam resources available for educators.

Sharpen your AI skills year-round 

Supporting Hour of AI is just one way Microsoft is working to expand access to AI skills for students and educators worldwide. Through Microsoft Elevate, we offer year-round programs and resources designed to help teachers in every country and classroom confidently bring AI into their teaching—empowering educators to focus on what matters most: student success. Learn more about programs for educators and schools and get started with these resources:

• Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE) Program: Join a global community of educators leading innovation with Microsoft tools and AI integration.
• Microsoft Showcase Schools Program: Collaborate with pioneering schools worldwide to transform learning.
• AI Skills for Educators: Access free resources and training to build AI literacy and integrate AI responsibly into your teaching.

Let’s make AI learning accessible, exciting, and empowering—one hour at a time. Join us for Hour of AI and CS Education Week 2025 and help shape the future of learning.

¹ CSforALL: What’s the goal of the Hour of AI?

The post Unlock AI learning with Hour of AI for Computer Science Education Week appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

This year, Minecraft Education and Code.org are teaming up to make AI learning an epic adventure. Our long-standing partner, Code.org, has evolved Hour of Code into Hour of AI, a global initiative that brings the excitement of coding and AI to millions of students. And now, with our new Hour of AI world, The First Night, students get to experience the thrill of Minecraft while discovering how AI and AI agents work and how to use them responsibly.

Survive the night—with an agent by your side!

Imagine stepping into Minecraft, facing the classic challenge: gathering resources, building shelter, and keeping the zombies at bay. But this time, you’re not alone!

Students will team up with the beloved, blocky Minecraft Agent who needs their help to learn, adapt, and survive. Through MakeCode and Python programming, they will teach the Agent to recognize patterns, classify resources, and coordinate mini-agent helpers, just like a real AI system.

Game-based learning for AI literacy

Research shows that 72% of students want guidance from trusted adults about AI. Hour of AI makes this easy, no deep technical expertise required. Students get to play, experiment, and learn by doing. In this tutorial, every puzzle is a chance to experiment, play, and see your Agent grow smarter with your guidance.

The Agent becomes a “thinking partner,” amplifying human creativity and problem-solving, while the player gets to be the teacher, showing your Agent how to spot acacia wood, build tools, and even fix mistakes (like forgetting to add a door before the zombies arrive!). The game is packed with “aha!” moments, like debugging your Agent’s code or watching mini-agents mine and build alongside you.

The magic of Hour of AI is in the role reversal: students become the experts, guiding their Agent through five essential survival tasks. The Agent starts out clueless, but with your help, learns to tackle challenges and avoid epic fails. It’s hands-on, creative, and sometimes hilarious – especially when your Agent builds a shelter with no doors and you have to save the day!

How to join the adventure

Play the tutorial

• If you already have Minecraft Education, open the app and click ‘Hour of AI’ on the home screen to choose a tutorial.
• If you don’t have a license, download the app and click ‘Try a demo’. Hour of AI is available as a free demo in Minecraft Education, which means it’s accessible to anyone, no license required.

Download educator materials

• Visit our Hour of AI webpage to get free supporting materials including a Facilitator Guide and lesson plan.
• When students complete the Hour of AI, they will receive a certificate of completion. Download this certificate to print, as well as a fun badge.

Register for free community events

• Join one of our Hour of AI Classroom Play-Alongs, where you can join classrooms around the world for a guest-taught Hour of AI live lesson streamed Microsoft Teams.

Mark your calendar for December 8, when millions of students and teachers around the world will celebrate Computer Science Education Week with tons of fun Hour of AI events.

Ready to play, learn, and shape the future?

Hour of AI: The First Night is just the beginning. For educators and students who want more, Minecraft Education’s AI Foundations program offers extended curriculum, teacher training, and an animated series for learners of all ages.

Join the global Hour of AI movement and show students that the AI-powered future is full of creative problem solving, collaboration, and fun. As the sun sets on your first night, the adventure and the learning have only just begun!

The post Solve coding puzzles to survive the night in the new Minecraft Hour of AI appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

We believe the future starts here at home. That’s why we’re investing in the people who live, learn, and teach in our own backyard. Our goal? To ensure the state of Washington benefits first from the innovations we are creating for the world. We want to ensure that Washington not only remains a national hub for technology and entrepreneurship but that our students are among the most prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.

Today, we see a troubling trend—one that could undermine our shared future. Analysis of Microsoft data by our AI for Good Lab shows a marked disparity in AI use across the state. In counties with the highest use of AI along the Puget Sound—Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Whatcom—AI is already used by more than 30 percent of the population. Snohomish leads with 35 percent. Yet in seven rural counties in eastern Washington, usage drops well below 10 percent. Ferry County ranks lowest, with just 2.5 percent of residents using AI—a tenfold gap compared to the state’s most connected regions. Download the full dataset.

As we’ve learned firsthand from working for a decade on broadband accessibility across the state, this isn’t just a technology gap; it’s an opportunity gap. Because in tomorrow’s economy, those who understand and use AI will do better than those who don’t.

Microsoft Elevate Washington: A homegrown commitment

That’s why today we’re launching Microsoft Elevate Washington—an important new initiative to help ensure that everyone across our home state can access AI technology and develop the skills to use it. We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we’ve shaped this effort in close collaboration with a broad coalition of voices from across Washington. Most importantly, we’re committed to working shoulder to shoulder with educators—because they are the driving force behind our shared vision for the future.

This new initiative will bring the world’s most advanced AI tools and training free of charge to every high school and community college student across our state, regardless of zip code. This is more than a program—it’s a promise to Washington’s 100,000 educators and 500,000 high school and community college students. A promise that they will be equipped with the very best technology to navigate—and help shape—this new era.

We’re backing this commitment with grants to accelerate adoption and innovation, support for early adopters of AI-powered teaching and learning, and professional development for educators to better engage students and lighten administrative workloads.

When we invest in our educators, we invest in our students. And when we invest in our students, we invest in the future of Washington.

What we’re offering

For school districts and community colleges

Starting January 2026, we’ll provide Copilot Studio to Washington State’s 295 school districts and 34 community colleges free of charge for up to three years.  This powerful tool allows administrators and staff to build custom AI agents—no coding required—to help transform how these districts and community colleges support learning.

With Copilot Studio, these institutions can use AI and AI agents to help streamline scheduling, enhance data analysis, support school year planning, and help teachers plan for classes—enabling faster, more informed decision-making and freeing up time for more meaningful student engagement.

In addition, Microsoft will provide up to 10 school districts and 10 community colleges with $25,000 in dedicated technology consulting to help them build and deploy AI agents tailored to their teaching and workplace needs. The company will then help these institutions spread what they learn to administrators and educators across the state to jump-start AI expertise more broadly.

For high school students (grades 9–12)

Beginning July 2026, high school students across Washington will receive free access for up to three years to Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 desktop apps, Learning Accelerators, and Teams for Education. This will also include AI-powered learning experiences grounded in learning science to help foster critical thinking and engagement and will launch in the coming weeks and months.

These tools will help students build fluency in AI, boost productivity, develop digital literacy, and improve learning outcomes. They will help improve reading fluency and comprehension and build critical information literacy. By tailoring feedback and guidance to each student’s pace and needs, these new AI tools will support academic growth and critical thinking.

For community college students

Microsoft will offer all community college students in Washington State 12 months of free usage of Microsoft 365 Personal, including Copilot integration across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. This offer, available through November 15, 2025, will help students manage coursework, collaborate on projects, and build digital skills with AI-powered tools. This subscription includes one terabyte of OneDrive cloud storage, Microsoft Defender for security, and creative tools, including Designer for image editing.

For educators

Microsoft will support state education agencies to help provide high-quality AI professional development to educators and administrative staff. Working with Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the Washington Education Association (WEA), and the National Education Association (NEA), Microsoft will support AI training programs focused on streamlining administrative tasks and enhancing operational efficiencies.

This initiative will make AI professional development available to all 295 public school districts and accessible to all certificated teachers, instructional assistants, and administrative staff. The company will also support the state agencies’ AI Innovation Summit—an in-person and virtual conference hosted by all K–12 agencies—we will help bring together over 1,000 educators, board members, and administrators to explore AI adoption, implementation, and best practices in education.

Additionally, we will deliver Generative AI for Educators training and role-based generative AI training across all 34 community and technical colleges. And we will collaborate with the NEA and WEA to strengthen AI readiness among their local affiliates.

We will back these efforts with cash grants to support Washington’s K-12 schools and community colleges to help educators integrate AI into their preparation and instruction, ultimately enhancing teaching, learning, and efficiency.

Building a movement

All this builds on our global July announcement of Microsoft Elevate, a new business unit focused on supporting schools, colleges, and nonprofits with technology, training, and funding. Through this new initiative, we’ll contribute more than $4 billion over the next 5 years in cash and cloud services to help these institutions around the world advance their missions.

We know that we can’t do this alone and that our success will require a statewide movement. That’s why we’re leaning in with state agencies, school districts, and community organizations to help us reach every corner of our state.

We are collaborating with nonprofits like Code.org to bring the Hour of AI to students across the state, including rallying our 50,000-plus employees in Washington to lead a workshop that showcases real-world applications and student-led innovation.

We’re supporting youth development workers, college and career navigators, and community leaders with tailored generative AI training to help them serve their communities more effectively.

And finally, we’ll launch an open call for innovators to partner with education institutions and build scalable, AI-enabled solutions that improve learning and career readiness. If you’re passionate about education and technology, we want to hear from you.

An enduring commitment to Washington’s future

Microsoft was born in Washington, and our roots run deep. As we look to the future, our commitment is unwavering: to empower every student, every educator, and every community in our state to thrive in the era of AI. Together, we can build a future where Washington leads the nation—and where every young person growing up in our backyard has the chance to achieve more.

We’re inviting every Washingtonian to join us in this journey—because the future of AI isn’t about machines. It’s about people. It’s about creativity. It’s about solving real problems and expanding opportunities broadly.

The post Microsoft Elevate Washington: World-class AI for every student and teacher, right here at home appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella joined the meeting and outlined our commitments to empower teachers and students, build AI skills, and create economic opportunity in a video.

We believe delivering on the real promise of AI depends on how broadly it’s diffused. This requires investment and innovation in AI education, training, and job certification. We applaud the leadership of the First Lady and the White House’s AI Education Task Force. They’re helping to forge a national AI education strategy and partnering with companies across the tech sector and business community.

As we think about this national priority, we think it comes down to three things.

First, empowering teachers and students with the latest AI tools. 

Second, building AI skills. With AI moving faster than any technology in history, the only way to keep up is learning by doing and getting recognized for it.  

Third, creating economic opportunity by connecting these new skills to jobs. Every American should be able to showcase their AI skills and credentials to find new jobs and grow their career. 

Here’s what’s coming from Microsoft: 

• Free Copilot in Microsoft 365 for college students. Today, we are making Microsoft 365 Personal free for 12 months to every college student in the United States. This includes all students attending community colleges. Microsoft 365 Personal includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook with Copilot, our AI assistant, built right in. College students can sign up to access this free offer beginning today through October 31, 2025 (valid university email address required). Learn more.
• Expanded access to our AI tools in schools. Microsoft Elevate will soon build on today’s announcement with expanded access to Copilot to students and teachers in schools, keeping an eye on providing the right tools and education in a safe and age-appropriate manner.
• $1.25 million in educator grants. To celebrate and elevate outstanding teachers, Microsoft Elevate is funding $1.25 million in prizes through the Presidential AI Challenge—recognizing top educators in every state who are leading the way in AI-powered learning. 
• Free LinkedIn Learning AI courses for students and teachers. We’re unlocking free access to LinkedIn Learning courses for teachers and students that guide learners from foundational AI concepts to advanced skills—culminating in LinkedIn certifications that can be added to profiles to boost resumes and open doors to future careers.
• AI training for job seekers and certifications for community colleges. Through new and expanded partnerships with the American Association of Community Colleges and the National Applied AI Consortium, Microsoft Elevate will sponsor no-cost AI training and certifications for faculty and staff, who serve more than 10 million students nationwide, and is providing grants to more than 30 Community Colleges across 28 states to create a community of practice AI peer learning program. Faculty and staff can sign up for training at NAAIC.
• Free LinkedIn Learning AI courses for job seekers. With 70% of AI-related skills expected to shift by 2030, Microsoft will also launch almost 100 AI courses in 15 new LinkedIn Learning paths and host a nationwide AI Learning Challenge to help job seekers build in-demand skills and address the critical skills gap facing today’s workforce. Starting September 29, LinkedIn Learning will host an AI Learning Challenge offering 5 days of intensive, free AI education featuring expert instructors and a list of top AI voices to follow to continue learning every day.

Together, these initiatives represent a powerful investment in America’s future—ensuring that students, teachers, and job seekers across the country have the tools to thrive in the age of AI. 

The post New White House commitments empower teachers, students, and job seekers through AI skilling and learning appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

From creating personalized practice problems to identifying learning gaps, Math Progress offers insights designed to complement your instruction while keeping students engaged. Whether you’re reinforcing key concepts or identifying areas for growth, Math Progress helps make it easier to support the needs of every student.

Educator benefits:

• Saves time by streamlining assignment creation while providing powerful performance insights to help accelerate learning.
• Tracks student progress and performance at both the student and class level to make informed instructional decisions.

Student benefits:

• Improve math skills with targeted, personalized practice.
• Share feedback on question difficulty so that educators know how to adapt instruction.

How to use Math Progress and generate math problems

Math Progress helps build math skills through educator-led assignments, activities, and insights. You can use the problem generator to create sets of math problems based on a specific topic or design your own. Available in a number of languages, Math Progress is a flexible and inclusive Learning Accelerator for developing math proficiency.

Get started with Math Progress:

1. Launch Microsoft Teams for Education and sign in with your school-issued credentials.
2. Choose a class and select Assignments.
3. Create a new assignment.
4. Select Learning Accelerators and choose Math Progress.
5. Select the Generate tab.
6. Choose a category and topic from the dropdown menus.
7. Select the Generate button.

Use Math Progress to create problems in four categories: numbers and operations, fractions, expressions and equations, and algebra. Each category includes specific topics so that you can target concepts that need more focus.

Tip: Want a different set of questions? Simply select the Generate button again for a new set of questions.

Selecting questions to include

Math Progress can help you save time by making it easier to build assignments tailored to your students’ needs.

After generating questions, select the types of questions and number of problems that best suit your students—challenging them without overwhelming them. The questions you pick appear in the sidebar beneath Selected questions. To remove one, select the “X” next to the problem to remove it from the list.

Tip: Choose a few questions, then select the Generate button again. Math Progress keeps your selected items and provides a fresh set, making it easy to build the ideal assessment.

Creating your own math questions

Need a custom word problem or exit ticket? Write your own questions with Math Progress and mix and match them with the generated items for more personalized, flexible assignments. This option can be used in a variety of ways—whether you’re reinforcing key concepts, differentiating for student needs, or aligning with classroom events. For example, you might tie assignments to themes like Pi Day.

To write your own items for a Math Progress assignment:

1. Select the Create your own tab.
2. Select the Add question button.
3. Choose an option from the Category and Topic dropdown menus.
4. Choose Multiple Choice or Short Answer.
5. Type a question.
6. Add a point value.
7. Type the equation or select the blue icon to open a Basic calculator or Formulas.
8. Select Save to add the problem to the Selected questions list.

Tip: For multiple choice questions, Math Progress automatically creates answer options from your equation—saving you time and letting you focus on supporting your students.

Customizing math assignments and sharing with students

Math Progress gives you control over how assignments are presented and the types of student feedback you collect. After you’ve generated or written questions and selected Next, you’ll see three customization options in the sidebar:

• Show your work – Ask students to upload a photo showing how they solved a problem. Images can be uploaded from Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, or their own device by taking screenshots or using their device’s camera.
• Student rating – Encourage students to rate each question from easy to hard, giving you insights about the challenge level.
• Shuffle question order – Randomize questions for students while keeping the original order in place for your review.

When you’re finished customizing your questions, select Done to open the Microsoft Teams assignment screen. There, you can add a title, description, due date, and additional options before sharing it with students.

Tip: From the Customize settings window, you can also edit questions and response options. This is helpful for spotting and refining assignment details before publishing.

Tracking student progress and performance

Math Progress gives you rich insights to support each student’s growth in math. After students submit their assignments, you’ll see automatically reviewed results to help you address student misconceptions and adjust your instruction. Pinpoint areas of opportunity by analyzing trends at both the individual student and class level.

To review assignment submissions:

1. Go to Assignments and select Ready to grade.
2. Choose the Math Progress assignment.
3. Select a student in your class to review their work.

Each submission includes the student’s assignment grade, point total, and question rating for at-a-glance review. Compare to class provides a convenient way to link examining an individual’s performance in relation to the class and over time. Student misconceptions are also listed, helping you identify areas for growth and target your instruction more efficiently.

When you review student math assignment submissions, you’ll find color-coded correct and incorrect answers along with a drop-down menu where you can change the grade to correct, incorrect, or incomplete. You can even select a thumbnail of each student’s work to better understand their problem-solving process.

When you’re ready, add written feedback and choose how you want to return the assignment. Returned work includes a breakdown of the student’s grade, point total, question ratings, misconceptions, and feedback along with automatically generated steps for solving incorrect problems. This means students can learn from their mistakes and keep improving—while helping you save time on providing individualized feedback.

Tip: Select the paperclip icon in the feedback box to attach a tutorial video, help guide, or a Word file with extra problems, making it easy for students to revise and reinforce skills.

Get started with Math Progress

Engage your students in deliberate practice with real-time coaching on math concepts. Use Math Progress to free up your time with tools that streamline assignment creation, review, and analysis. Gain insights to personalize math instruction, strengthen foundational skills, and boost student confidence—one problem at a time. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your impact, this guide to Math Progress is designed to help you make the most of every learning moment.

The post An educator’s guide to Math Progress appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

That’s why today we’re announcing Microsoft Elevate and the AI Economy Institute—to ensure that as AI transforms our world, we’re putting people first by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and tools to thrive with AI.

Microsoft Elevate brings into one organization our technology support, donations, and sales for schools, community colleges, and nonprofit organizations. It is the successor to and expands upon the longstanding work of Microsoft Philanthropies and the Tech for Social Impact team that supports nonprofits.

More broadly, this represents our next chapter for corporate philanthropy and our non-commercial business model. As we have with Tech for Social Impact, we will run this new business with commitments to reinvest a share of our profits into nonprofit programs. We are announcing today that over the next five years, we will donate on a global scale more than $4 billion in cash and AI and cloud technology to K-12 schools, community and technical colleges, and nonprofits to help advance their missions.

Microsoft Elevate will also pursue the next phase of our global skilling programs and initiatives. Through the Microsoft Elevate Academy, it will help bring AI education and skills to people around the world. In the next two years, the Microsoft Elevate Academy will help 20 million people earn an in-demand AI skilling credential ranging from foundational fluency to advanced technical training. Working in close coordination with other groups across Microsoft, including LinkedIn and GitHub, Microsoft Elevate will deliver AI education and skilling at scale. And it will work as an advocate for public policies around the world to advance AI education and training for others.

Microsoft will partner with governments on a national, state, and local basis, as we have with the largest state in Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia. It will focus on advancing AI education and training with schools, community colleges, and nonprofits. It will launch new and innovative initiatives, including the support we’re announcing today for a new “Hour of AI” with Code.org. It will build on our existing partnerships with leading labor organizations, as we announced yesterday with the American Federation of Teachers. And we will pursue many more partnerships to come. Put together, these efforts represent a bold step to create the skilling infrastructure the world will need to put AI to work.

A moment to reflect

Today’s tech sector is in an AI race—with some aiming to be the first to reach artificial general intelligence or even superintelligence. But what do we really hope to create at the supposed finish line?

The best time to ask hard questions about AI’s future is now—before it becomes even more powerful and pervasive. History shows that technology can empower creativity, expand knowledge, and connect people. But it can also deepen divides. Nearly 150 years after Thomas Edison lit his first light bulb, hundreds of millions still lack electricity. And in just 15 years, social media has gone from what people saw as a promising tool to spread democracy to a weapon of disinformation.

As we look ahead, we must ask ourselves: Are we building machines to replace people, or to help people thrive? Are we trying to create AI that will outsmart humanity—or elevate it?

At Microsoft, we’re putting a clear stake in the ground: we believe in advancing AI by putting people first.

Elevating the humanity of work

This initiative is part of a broader commitment to help people shape the future of work, not just react to it.

Work has always been more than a paycheck. It’s how people contribute, grow, and find meaning in their lives. It’s a source of identity, purpose, and dignity. This isn’t a new idea. Two thousand years ago, Aristotle called it eudaimonia—the ability to flourish through purposeful activity. That idea still resonates today, especially as AI begins to reshape the nature of work itself.

AI is a powerful tool that can help us learn and be more productive. But as with any tool, it needs to be used in the right ways and with a broad perspective. This is one of the lessons from the use of social media. We’ve probably all experienced someone connecting on their phone with a friend far away while ignoring a family member sitting in the same room. We need to use AI to think more, not less. And this is a function not only of technology but culture and habits. It will require thoughtful conversations in homes, schools, and in the workplace about how we make the best use of AI.

Ultimately, the conversation about AI and jobs must begin with people—not just productivity. Machines can process data, but only humans can exercise judgment. Machines can mimic language, but only humans can offer empathy. Machines can optimize, but only humans can care. The goal isn’t to build machines that replace us—it’s to build machines that help us do more and do it better.

One key to success will be partnerships, so a broad array of stakeholders can have input into where AI is going. That means working with governments, educators, labor unions, employers, and community leaders to ensure AI reflects human values and serves human needs.

This is why we have been deepening our partnerships with labor organizations like the AFL-CIO and, as announced yesterday, with the American Federation of Teachers, or AFT, to deliver AI training to union members, apprenticeship instructors, and educators—including a new National Academy for AI Instruction and a summer skilling series across the building trades. We’re also working with policymakers to encourage public policies that support lifelong learning, workforce readiness, and equitable access to AI education.

A new corporate think tank: Microsoft’s AI Economy Institute

It’s important to acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers to the new questions that AI will pose for societies around the world. No one does.

To support our work with deeper research and policy insight, Microsoft Elevate will work in close coordination with the Microsoft AI Economy Institute. We started work this past January on what is a new kind of corporate think tank—one designed to bridge the gap between technological innovation and societal impact.

Housed within the AI for Good Lab and building on the best traditions of Microsoft Research, the Institute sponsors and convenes researchers to explore how AI is reshaping work, education, and productivity. It’s focused on turning those insights into real-world solutions that inform Microsoft’s strategy and public policy engagement.

The Institute supports academic research that explores the transformative potential of AI around the world. Current projects, representing academics from universities across the globe, began earlier this year and span from investigating how generative AI can drive transdisciplinary academic innovation to addressing policy gaps in African higher education to evaluating the real-world labor market value of AI skills and micro-credentials. This work underscores the Institute’s commitment to inclusive, evidence-based insights that shape responsible and globally relevant AI futures. With fast publication cycles and a commitment to open collaboration, the Institute ensures that its research reaches not only internal teams but also the public and policymakers around the world.

The Institute’s work will directly inform Microsoft Elevate’s skilling programs and initiatives, helping to create the training programs, partnerships, and policy frameworks needed to prepare people for the AI economy.

Through workshops, convenings, and applied research, the AI Economy Institute is poised to become a leading voice in the global conversation on AI and economic transformation—ensuring that the benefits of AI are broadly shared and that the infrastructure for inclusive growth is built alongside the technology itself.

This is part of an even broader ongoing effort to advance AI as a tool for good around the world. This will include the evolution of our AI for Good Lab, which advances applied research projects to use AI to meet societal needs. It also includes our support for responsible AI with a wide variety of partners, including universities, nonprofits, and the AFL-CIO and its members. It also includes faith-based organizations, including the Vatican and its Rome Call for AI Ethics. And important intergovernmental organizations, including key United Nations agencies.

Building on a 50-year legacy

More than any other tech company, Microsoft’s 50-year history gives us a unique appreciation for what it takes for people and technology to flourish together. Because the PC and our operating systems have always functioned as open platforms, we understand how to support a broad global ecosystem of software developers and innovators. And because Microsoft strived early on to put “a computer on every desk and in every home” when that seemed like an implausible dream, we appreciate what technology success truly requires. It’s based not only on great innovations but also critical work to make these innovations accessible and to equip people with the skills needed to use them in their daily lives.

This is the work ahead—not just building the next generation of AI but building the next generation of opportunity. With Microsoft Elevate, we’re investing in people, institutions, and ideas that will ensure AI serves everyone. Because AI shouldn’t strip away the humanity of work—it should elevate it.

The post Microsoft Elevate: Putting people first appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Minecraft Education promotes critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving while helping students develop digital skills for their future. It can also help motivate learning, improve attendance, and build student agency. Educators use it for everything from building AI literacy through immersive lessons to sustainable design challenges and esports programs.

Explore this collection of Minecraft Education experiences designed to support your instruction, boost engagement, and inspire creativity in the classroom. Parents and caregivers can also support their child’s learning outside of school with Minecraft Education. With materials like a digital safety family toolkit, you’ll find ways to use Minecraft to explore important topics at home, too. Discover Minecraft Education resources for parents and families today.

Digital citizenship, coding, and AI

Today’s students are growing up in a world shaped by digital tools, AI, and rapid technological change. Minecraft Education helps prepare them to navigate that world responsibly and confidently. With Minecraft Education, students can engage in hands-on experiences that help them strengthen digital citizenship, explore responsible AI use, and build coding fluency all within a familiar and playful learning space that connects to their everyday lives.

Check out these Minecraft Education worlds designed to help students explore, create, and grow as digital citizens.

• CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper – Build digital citizenship and AI literacy skills with CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper. This engaging adventure challenges students to go beyond the surface and explore responsible AI, critical thinking, and data literacy. Don’t just accept AI at face value—dig deeper and discover the power of mindful technology use!
• Hour of Code: The Show Must Go On – Step into a vibrant theater world to help save the day in Minecraft’s Hour of Code 2024: The Show Must Go On. In this adventure, students will explore the theater to find the missing star, the Agent, while solving fun coding puzzles and interacting with lively characters. They’ll unlock hidden gags, customize the show, and plan an unforgettable performance.
• GameCode – Empower creative coding with this dynamic curriculum where students create their own arcade-style mini-games and learn computer science along the way. This immersive and innovative approach to coding will ignite the passion for programming in students as they become inventive game designers, empowered to shape their digital landscapes.

These experiences introduce students to essential digital concepts while allowing them to iterate and build in a safe, creative environment. Demystify complex subjects like AI and coding with your students through game-based learning with Minecraft.

Core subjects and STEM

It can be challenging to make abstract academic concepts feel exciting, relevant, and accessible. That’s where Minecraft Education comes in. These standards-aligned experiences are designed to help students connect with core instruction in ways that are hands-on and meaningful. From environmental science and astronomy to math and history, these worlds help students engage deeply with content through inquiry, experimentation, and creativity.

Explore these worlds to help your students apply academic concepts across subject areas.

• Ocean Heroes – Embark on a marine conservation adventure in Ocean Heroes, presented by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and Voice of the Ocean. Students will investigate ocean ecosystems alongside scientists and help them tackle environmental challenges in mangrove forests, coral reefs, and kelp forests. Along the way, they’ll encounter amazing creatures, enhance their ocean literacy, and develop critical problem-solving skills.
• Data Explorers – Build data science and sustainability skills in this world, created by ReWrite Edu in collaboration with NetApp and World’s Largest Lesson. This choose-your-next-path style game takes students across five different ecosystems in search of scientists who help them use data to solve specific environmental problems. Along the way, students can hone their data collection and analysis skills, as well as see how scientists apply data to real-world problems.
• Ratio Riddles – Introduce the concepts of ratio, proportion, fractions, and scale through a series of three engaging games designed for students ages 8-14. This is an easy-to-teach lesson designed to engage learners in foundational mathematics principles while fostering curiosity and confidence.
• Peter is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage – Step into the heart of history! Peter is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage is a captivating experience where students journey through 2,000 years of architectural innovation. Inspired by real-world preservation efforts, this immersive project lets young explorers use simulated AI tools to restore ancient wonders, from Roman engineering to Baroque masterpieces, and explore the history of St. Peters Basilica in Vatican City.
• James Webb Space Telescope Challenge – Explore the universe with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia (NSW) science curricula, this immersive lesson lets students learn about the telescope’s mission, star formation, and galaxies, culminating in a solar system build challenge. Inspire future astronomers with this cosmic adventure!

These experiences support cross-curricular connections and help students build a deeper understanding of academic content and inspire curiosity through game-based learning. Get started and explore immersive content in core subjects for students of all ages.

Creative classroom fun

Sometimes the best learning happens when students are free to explore, experiment, and play. Minecraft Education’s open-ended experiences empower students to express themselves, collaborate with peers, and build creative confidence. These activities are perfect for community-building, project-based learning, or moments when your classroom needs a spark of joy.

Try these student-centered worlds to foster classroom culture and creativity.

• Wheel of Steve – Spin the Wheel of Steve in this educational adventure inspired by A Minecraft Movie. Created for students aged 8-14, Wheel of Steve supports play for up to eight learners at a time. Two teams will compete against each other in five cooperative minigames designed to strengthen key skills including creativity, collaboration, communication, community, and critical thinking.
• Renewtopia – Explore a unique island and learn about four different types of renewable energy: solar, tidal, wind, and geothermal. This interactive build challenge teaches learners about sustainable energy sources by building an exhibit for a sustainable energy fair. Their goal is to teach others about one or more of the renewable power sources found on the island.

These experiences are great for building relationships, strengthening classroom community, and letting students lead their own learning in joyful, meaningful ways. Engage your students’ creativity and strengthen future-ready skills in your classroom.

Get support and inspiration for game-based learning with Minecraft

No matter where you are in your Minecraft Education journey, there’s a community and a collection of free resources ready to help you succeed. Connect with fellow educators, participate in special events, and explore learning modules, challenges, and ideas to bring Minecraft into your classroom:

• Free training to teach AI Foundations—register for upcoming live events and view on-demand training.
• Learn the basics in the Minecraft Teacher Academy course.
• Join the Minecraft Teachers’ Lounge community.

Whether you’re helping students understand responsible technology use, reinforce academic content, or build a thriving classroom culture, Minecraft Education offers immersive worlds that make learning engaging and meaningful. These experiences aren’t just lessons—they’re launchpads for curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

Check out Minecraft Education to explore the full collection of lessons, access educator resources, and start teaching with the power of play today.

The post Bring learning to life with Minecraft Education appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

AI in education professional learning resources

Integrating AI in education is a journey that takes time, practice, and professional learning. With the right support you can explore new tools, build confidence, and use AI in ways that make a real difference to you and your students. These free resources are here to help you grow, and help your students thrive:

• AI for educators learning path – Discover how to enhance teaching and learning with Microsoft 365 Copilot, along with AI-powered tools in Microsoft Edge browser, Word, PowerPoint, Minecraft Education, and more. You have the option to complete the entire learning path or focus on individual modules based on your goals.
• AI for education – Learn how to use AI for educational purposes with a collection of training and professional learning resources for educators on Microsoft Learn.
• AI skills for educators – Prepare yourself and your students with AI skills for the future with free, ready-to-use AI training, resources, and programs from Microsoft.
• Microsoft Education AI Toolkit – Navigate AI frameworks, guidelines, and examples quickly with a toolkit tailored for education leaders and educators.

Integrating AI into your teaching can support student learning, streamline routine tasks, and help build digital fluency. Continue developing your knowledge, collaborating with colleagues, and lead the way in responsible AI use in your school.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat professional learning resources

Copilot Chat is the AI chat experience you can use every day. It’s powered by broad knowledge from the web, built on the latest AI models, and designed to be safe and secure. Enhance teaching and learning with Copilot Chat by personalizing learning, boosting creativity, and simplifying administrative tasks.

Learn how you can maximize the potential of AI in education with these Copilot Chat resources:

• Enhance teaching and learning with Copilot Chat – Learn how to use Copilot Chat, along with basic concepts, modes, features, and strategies to create effective prompts.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat resources for education – Access resources to help you, your colleagues, and your school community get started with Copilot Chat.
• Copilot Scenario Library – Discover how to integrate AI into your daily workflow with day-in-the-life examples tailored to your role in education.

Try a few AI ideas out now and bring fresh collaboration, creativity, and engagement strategies to your classroom later.

Minecraft Education professional learning resources

Use Minecraft Education to engage students in immersive lessons, group projects, build challenges, and e-sports programs. Students can build digital skills while practicing critical thinking and collaboration in creative worlds. Check out these trainings and resources to help bring Minecraft Education to life in your classroom:

• Minecraft Education Teacher Academy – Learn how to incorporate Minecraft Education into your teaching practice no matter your level of experience in game-based learning. Explore free, on-demand content where you can learn alongside others.
• AI Foundations: Teaching AI Literacy – Discover how to integrate Minecraft Education’s AI Foundations lessons and tools into your classroom, equipping students with the skills to understand and use AI responsibly.
• Minecraft Teachers’ Lounge – Connect with more than 10,000 fellow educators in the Minecraft Teachers’ Lounge on Facebook—a vibrant, moderated space to find inspiration, share your wins, and discover creative ways to use Minecraft across subjects.
• Minecraft Lesson Crafter – Try your hand at creating a custom lesson plan for Minecraft Education with this AI-powered lesson generator tool. The tool offers a straightforward way for educators to use generative AI to create practical teaching resources, build confidence with using AI, and introduce Minecraft Education in their classrooms. Get started by signing in with your school-issued Microsoft credentials.

Minecraft Education helps you spark creativity, encourage collaboration, and build essential digital skills—preparing students for success in an evolving world.

Additional professional learning resources for educators

Your passion for teaching shows in everything you do—and Microsoft Education has the tools to help you go even further. Whether you want to learn more about literacy skill building, accessibility in educational environments, or cybersecurity best practices, you’ll find free, ready-to-use resources to support your goals and your students.

Explore resources to strengthen key skills:

• Build reading fluency with Reading Coach – Learn how to use Reading Coach, a free, standalone Learning Accelerator that uses AI to personalize reading content and practice for students. This learning module includes a new unit on the educator features in Reading Coach.
• Accessibility: Build the foundation for inclusive learning – Discover how to create an inclusive learning environment with accessibility principles and the Microsoft tools to support it.
• Build cybersecurity resilience in K-12 classrooms – Understand cyberthreats, implement security best practices, and foster a culture of cybersecurity to protect students and educators.
• Microsoft Learn Educator Center – Explore additional professional learning resources for educators and find programs that help meet your goals.

Take this opportunity to cultivate your passions and expand your professional skills. No matter your focus, Microsoft solutions and resources are designed to help you drive innovation, foster inclusion, and prioritize security.

Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert program

Take your professional growth to the next level by joining the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Expert program. MIE Experts share a common vision: They inspire students with creative thinking and collaboration, using Microsoft technology across their curriculum and in their classrooms. If this describes your experience, we’re looking for visionaries like you! As a member of the MIE Expert global community of 30,000 educators, you’ll connect with colleagues around the world to share insights, learn from each other, and shape the future of education.

By exploring these professional learning resources now, you can gain new strategies and deeper skills to support your students’ success. As you learn, know that Microsoft is here to support you—helping you navigate change, implement new tools, and stay focused on what matters most: your students. Bookmark this post, share it with your peers, and revisit it anytime as you plan for a fresh start, whether it’s a new term, semester, or school year.

The post Boost your skills with flexible learning for educators appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Discover four ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month 2025 and foster a broad perspective on the contributions and achievements of AAPI communities. These resources help inspire curiosity, support critical thinking, and connect students to the powerful stories of AAPI individuals who have shaped our world.

1. Immerse your classroom in the culture of Ngā Motu

Use Minecraft Education to explore vast worlds outside of your classroom. In Ngā Motu (The Islands), students learn about the indigenous culture of the Māori people, from language to architecture, arts, and economics. Take an immersive visit from the maunga (mountain) to the ākau (shore) and everything in between to learn about the Māori language and culture. Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Ngā Motu and discover the wonders of Māori culture!

Classroom connection: Before getting started, review the supporting resources on the Ngā Motu lesson page. You’ll find a lesson plan, an introductory video, and a resource pack that includes traditional pā (settlement) and ride waka hourua (boats) to enhance the experience for students.

2. Explore AAPI topics through targeted reading practice

Reading Coach is a free, standalone Learning Accelerator that helps students develop reading fluency skills through personalized, AI-powered reading practice. When students read aloud, Reading Coach provides real-time feedback on pronunciation, syllabification accuracy, and reading progress.

Use Reading Coach to seamlessly blend AAPI topics into reading practice while supporting each student’s literacy growth. Students can use the “Add your own passage” mode to upload texts, like assigned articles, textbook excerpts, or their own writing. You can tailor practice to individual learning needs and objectives with Reading Coach, while enhancing engagement with AAPI heritage and history. Help learners discover the joy of reading with Reading Coach.

Classroom connection: Browse this collection of AAPI books for inspiration and ideas on finding relevant passages for your students. Reading Coach also has built-in passages for each reading level that students can read to learn more about AAPI cultures.

3. Develop communication skills while learning AAPI heritage

Communication skills are essential for success. As students explore AAPI figures, culture, and history, they can develop multimedia presentations to showcase their findings. Use Speaker Progress and Speaker Coach, two Learning Accelerators, to help develop your students’ public speaking skills.

Use Speaker Progress to create presentation assignments and track your students’ growth at the individual, class, grade, and school levels. Then have your students use Speaker Coach to complete the assignment, while receiving real-time, AI-powered feedback on pacing, pitch, clarity and more. Discover how Speaker Progress and Speaker Coach can help build communication confidence in your classroom.

Classroom connection: Have students present on influential AAPI figures like Suni Lee, Senator Tammy Duckworth, or Shohei Ohtani. They can develop their communication skills and build their confidence by independently practicing their presentation with Speaker Coach before presenting to their class or community.

4. Enhance lesson planning with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat

Copilot Chat can help you create customized materials, activities, and lessons. Use it to design engaging content that connects students with the history and contributions of AAPI communities.

Streamline and innovate your lesson planning process by starting with one of these ready-to-use prompts in Copilot Chat and customizing it for your needs:

• Design a STEAM lesson plan for elementary students that explores traditional AAPI art or inventions. Include hands-on activities that connect art and science, step-by-step instructions, and reflection prompts to help students connect culture to creativity and innovation.
• Create a 1-week high school ELA or Humanities lesson plan where students research and analyze the impact of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander artists and writers on contemporary culture. Include learning objectives, suggested artists/authors (e.g., Ruth Asawa, Yo-Yo Ma), and key discussion questions.
• Help me update an existing lesson plan to include meaningful perspectives from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. I want to keep the original learning objectives intact but integrate AAPI voices, content, or activities into the texts, resources, and activities sections. [Attach a lesson plan or provide subject, grade, and learning objectives]

Try using Copilot Chat for lesson planning, brainstorming, creating images, getting quick answers to your questions, and more. Build your competency with AI and Copilot with the Copilot Chat learning module.

Honor AAPI Heritage Month by exploring the remarkable people, vibrant cultures, and significant contributions that have enriched our world. Use the time to design engaging, immersive learning experiences that foster essential skills like literacy, communication, and critical thinking. Inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation both in and beyond your classroom with AAPI Heritage Month classroom activities from Microsoft Education.

The code of us

At Microsoft, we believe different perspectives lead to a brighter future. Discover stories of innovation and inspiration from Microsoft employees and artists. The Code of Us isn’t just what we create—it’s who we are. Employees, their stories, and their truths are what power Microsoft. This Heritage Month, The Code of Us is all about celebrating the vibrant culture and incredible impact of the AAPI community at Microsoft.

The post 4 resources to enrich AAPI Heritage Month learning appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

From coding challenges to immersive Minecraft Education experiences, there are many ways to bring Earth Day themes to life while helping students develop essential skills. Discover six classroom-ready resources to help you celebrate Earth Day 2025 and make a lasting impact on your students.

1. Dive into data to protect the Earth with Data Explorers

Data Explorers is an action-packed Minecraft Education world that aims to build data science and sustainability skills, created by ReWrite Edu in collaboration with NetApp and World’s Largest Lesson. This choose-your-next-path style game takes students across five different ecosystems in search of scientists who help them use data to solve specific environmental problems. Along the way, students can hone their data collection and analysis skills, as well as see how scientists apply data to real-world problems.

At-a-glance:

• Designed for students ages 11-14
• Focused on data collection and analysis skills
• Includes an educator guide for easy implementation

2. Engage in animal adventures with Planet Earth III Worlds

This beautiful lesson collection is the third installment in Minecraft Education and BBC Earth’s series of worlds inspired by the groundbreaking series from BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit. Students will step into wondrous realms of the natural world to experience the struggles and triumphs of survival while playing as a series of incredible creatures, including the great white shark, the Arctic wolf, the musk ox, and more. They’ll explore the way these animals’ lives are intertwined by playing as both predator and prey, parent and offspring, friend and ally, and discover the precarious balance of survival.

At-a-glance:

• Designed for students aged 8-13
• Explores the challenges and victories of survival
• Experience beautiful visuals inspired by BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit

3. Build eco-themed games with MakeCode Arcade

Microsoft MakeCode is a free, online learn-to-code platform where students can build games, code devices, and mod Minecraft. Support your students’ programming skills with MakeCode Arcade by quickly creating and modding retro arcade games with Blocks and JavaScript in the MakeCode editor.

This Earth Day, check out these eco-themed MakeCode Arcade experiences:

• Save the Forest – Engage students in an interactive coding challenge where they help control wildfires. Using block-based coding, students program an air tanker and set up technology to support a ground team working to protect the forest.
• Happy Flower – Teach students about the relationship between flowers and pollinators by coding a digital flower that sends bees back to the hive. This activity introduces basic programming concepts while reinforcing key science connections.
• Shark Splash – Take students on an underwater adventure where they code a shark navigating the deep sea in search of food. This skillmap blends game design and computer science with marine ecology.

4. Foster a sustainable future with FarmBeats for Students

Empower students to explore how technology can drive sustainability with FarmBeats for Students. This hands-on program brings precision agriculture to classrooms, engaging learners in real-world applications of digital sensors, data analysis, and AI. Through interactive activities, students collect and analyze environmental data, build machine learning models, and discover how AI can help optimize farming practices—supporting a future where we can feed a growing population while preserving our planet’s resources.

At-a-glance:

• Combines an affordable micro:bit-based hardware kit with free, curated curriculum
• Features interactive activities that engage students in real-world applications of AI
• Focuses on sustainability in agriculture and environmental stewardship

5. Enhance literacy skills with Earth Day reading assignments

Use Reading Progress to seamlessly blend Earth Day topics into your reading lessons while supporting each student’s literacy growth. With AI-powered passage generation, you can create customized reading passages on environmental themes in just a few clicks. Simply choose the topic, age level, length, and language—and adjust the complexity as needed to meet your students where they are and deepen their engagement with Earth Day.

You can also use AI-generated comprehension questions based on the passage. Specify how many questions you want, review the questions before assigning them, and easily tailor them to fit your students’ learning goals.

At-a-glance:

• Quickly generate Earth Day-themed reading passages with AI-powered passage generation
• Personalize reading passages based on phonics patterns or words students find challenging
• Use AI-generated comprehension questions to check for understanding

6. Design, update, and personalize Earth Day lesson plans

Spark creativity and save time with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. Whether you’re planning an Earth Day lesson, generating engaging content, or creating visuals to bring your teaching to life, Copilot Chat can help—for free.

Need fresh activity ideas or ready-to-use classroom materials? Just ask Copilot Chat! Try these prompts to enhance your Earth Day lessons:

• Create a detailed lesson plan on sustainable farming practices for [grade level]. The lesson should highlight concepts like crop rotation, organic farming, soil conservation, and water management, with real-world examples and student-friendly explanations.
• Generate a list of thought-provoking, open-ended discussion questions for a [grade level] Earth Day lesson. Ensure the questions encourage critical thinking, personal responsibility, and diverse perspectives. They should be designed to spark meaningful conversations about [topic] and connect students’ thinking to their role in protecting the planet.
• List a variety of engaging, hands-on eco-centric activities for a [grade level] class to do for Earth Day. Include indoor and outdoor options with a brief description, required materials, estimated time, and how it connects to [a specific topic like environmental awareness, sustainability, or climate action].

Explore the Copilot Chat learning module on Microsoft Learn to discover practical ways to use it in your daily workflow.

Celebrate Earth Day 2025 by bringing sustainability to life in your classroom. These ready-to-use resources are designed to help you engage students and spark meaningful conversations about our planet’s future. Empower your students to take action for a greener future—one engaging, interactive lesson at a time.

The post 6 ways to create memorable Earth Day experiences for students appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

Aligned with Microsoft’s mission to empower every person on the planet to achieve more, we’re thrilled to announce the Microsoft Student SOC initiative. This initiative includes the Microsoft Student SOC Toolkit and implementation guide as free resources, along with training and certification to assist leaders at high schools and universities in addressing the cybersecurity challenges faced in education.

The Microsoft Student SOC initiative aims to bridge the significant skills gap in the cybersecurity sector and education. These resources provide in-depth training on top-tier AI-powered security products such as Microsoft Security Copilot, Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Sentinel, and more. These free resources and training can help educators, school staff, and students understand the importance of cybersecurity and how to defend against cyberthreats.

Bridging the cybersecurity skills gap

Two weeks after graduating with a computer science degree in 2024, Cothren started a position as a cybersecurity analyst at Regions Bank, a job he says his SOC experience “absolutely” helped him get. In the SOC, participants work alongside full-time cybersecurity employees on tasks like reviewing incident reports, hunting for cyberthreats, and investigating suspicious online behavior. Student SOC programs like Cothren’s can give students an edge in a competitive job market by providing them with valuable hands-on experience in cybersecurity before they enter the workforce.

Companies really don’t look for students fresh out of college, because cybersecurity is about protecting billion-dollar corporations—their data, their reputation, their integrity… I am very lucky for having had three years of experience.

George Cothren, Auburn University Graduate

Moreover, student SOCs help address a critical need in the job market. With more than 400,000 unfilled cybersecurity roles in the US alone, students can leave their programs well-prepared to combat a nationwide shortage.

Student SOCs provide opportunities for students and universities

Student SOCs are becoming increasingly popular nationwide, largely because of the need for an extra set of hands on security teams. Because institutions handle highly sensitive data and intellectual property, they’re prime targets for cyberthreats.

In fact, cyberattacks on universities are increasing, with a recent Microsoft report finding that the education sector is now the third-most targeted industry for cybercrime globally. While attacks are increasing, IT teams’ budgets remain constrained—making it difficult to combat threats effectively.

That’s where student SOCs can help. With a student SOC, educational institutions can strengthen their cybersecurity defenses while also offering students invaluable hands-on training that equips them with the skills to step confidently into the workforce.

Jay James, the senior cybersecurity operations lead at Auburn University, realized the power of student SOCs early on and established one at Auburn in 2019. “As a higher-ed institution, our number one priority is empowering students for whatever they plan on doing next,” he says. “It’s a win where the students have the opportunity to get hands-on experience and we’re able to utilize those students to help secure the university.”

Students in action

Student SOCs function as educational hubs and operational cybersecurity monitoring units. The centers are typically located on campus, with staffing arranged around student schedules, and participants use the same tools they’re likely to encounter in their careers.

Grace Parrish, a senior at Oregon State University (OSU), gained hands-on experience working with industry-standard automation tools to help the university more efficiently combat cyberattacks. “I like getting to put my hands on some nice enterprise-grade security solutions,” says Parrish. “And I really enjoy working on automation projects. They’re like little puzzles to me.”

Of course, students aren’t thrown into mission-critical tasks alone but rather work alongside full-time staff members for mentorship and oversight. With guidance, they learn to monitor, intercept, and solve real-time cyberattacks. If a serious threat occurs, students escalate it to professional staff while resolving lower-risk incidents independently. Sometimes, they even identify vulnerabilities that professionals might miss.

At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, students uncovered “slow burn” issues, seemingly random low-priority incidents that when grouped together point to an emerging problem. According to Chief Technology Officer Matthew Williams, that type of analysis didn’t happen before employing students.

“We unfortunately just used to look at alerts in isolation because of staffing,” he says. “Now we have the resources to look at things at more of a high level and in aggregate that could point to issues that we have otherwise just not paid attention to.”

The Microsoft Student SOC initiative takes student SOCs a step further

In a Microsoft Student SOC, students and schools get access to resources like the Student SOC Toolkit and training tools—while learning industry-leading cybersecurity tools like Security Copilot. Security Copilot can lower the barrier to entry for students interested in joining a SOC by providing a plain language interface. Students can learn on the job while still being a productive member of the SOC team. But Security Copilot isn’t just for beginners. As students become more proficient in their role, Security Copilot grows with them, helping them take on more complex cybersecurity tasks.

[We] are all really excited about using Copilot… A lot of the academic curriculums at OSU, and seemingly everywhere, aren’t really including AI type tools yet, but it’s something that is so forefront to [student’s] careers.

Emily Longman, SOC Manager, Oregon State University

What’s more is that students are guided by a curriculum that helps learners deepen their cybersecurity knowledge while getting hands-on training. The program starts with a course on the foundations of security operations, with students getting an opportunity to earn the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate once completed.

Then, they delve into the foundations of modern SOCs and focus on Threat Protection Engagement and Security AI. To apply their skills, they study core Microsoft security solutions and cloud security, which also prepares them to earn the MS Learn Applied Skills Badge: Configure SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) security operations using Microsoft Sentinel and the Microsoft Sentinel Training LinkedIn Learning Badge.

Gaining real-life experience

After earning the requisite badges, it’s time for hands-on labs with the Microsoft Security Unified SOC Platform and a gamified immersion experience featuring real-world security challenges. The program then culminates with an opportunity for participants to earn Microsoft Certifications like Security, Identity, and Compliance Fundamentals (SC-900) the Microsoft SOC Analyst Certification (SC-200). They can even obtain ACE (American Council on Education) college credit, helping them demonstrate their knowledge to future employers.

Longman notes that students feel their SOC experience is excellent preparation for the workforce. “They’re so glad they’re working with us because it’s such a good learning opportunity. It’s a really good compliment [sic] to the academics that they’re getting here. They’re really excited about… using tools like Microsoft Security Copilot. It’s definitely going to be something that will be used in industry and continue to grow throughout their careers.”

In addition to supporting a school’s core mission to prepare students for the future, the program benefits the institutions’ security posture. With training and certifications from Microsoft, high schools and universities can stay current with modern cyberthreats, ensuring their student SOC remains agile and responsive to an ever-evolving cyber landscape. They can also collaborate with experienced security partners specializing in student SOCs for expert guidance in setting up a SOC program that’s right for their institution, minimizing missed alerts, and providing an extra layer of security oversight.

Join us in shaping the future of cybersecurity

Reflecting on her experience, student Emily MacPherson is grateful she joined the student SOC at OSU. “I feel like I’m ahead compared to the average sophomore in college,” she says. “You should definitely do it.”

If you’re a university leader who’s interested in empowering the next generation of cybersecurity leaders, learn more about the Microsoft Student SOC initiative. Get started with the implementation guide and initial training paths by downloading them for free into your learning management system (LMS). Learn more about Microsoft Student SOC certifications by downloading the PDF. For additional information, you can also email Microsoft Student SOC support or contact your Microsoft Account Representative.

If you’re a student who’s interested in starting a student SOC at your school, share this blog with your university’s IT team and join the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors LinkedIn group.

The post Student SOCs turn college experience into career readiness appeared first on Microsoft Education Blog.

The 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report from Microsoft and LinkedIn also found that 66% of leaders say they wouldn’t hire someone without AI skills. As we celebrate National AI Literacy Day in the US on March 28 this year, it’s clear that no one company will likely be able to meet the opportunities of tomorrow. We believe it’ll take innovative partnerships to meaningfully impact the lives of people around the world with AI literacy and skills development.

Empowering learners with essential AI skills

Microsoft and Pearson, the world’s lifelong learning company, announced a strategic collaboration to help address one of the top challenges facing organizations globally: skilling for the era of AI. The partnership will focus on providing employers, workers, and learners with AI-powered products and services to help prepare the current and future workforce across industries for the evolving landscape of work in an AI-powered economy. By combining Pearson’s expertise in learning and assessment with Microsoft’s cloud and AI technologies, this partnership will play a foundational role in helping organizations realize the full value of AI through reskilling.

Microsoft and Pearson are addressing the challenges and opportunities around reskilling at the ASU-GSV Summit in San Diego, US, April 6-9, 2025. The summit is dedicated to the scaled innovations in the delivery of education and workforce skills that are critical to creating a world in which all people have equal access to the future.

At ASU-GSV, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Worldwide Learning, Jeana Jorgensen, will join Pearson President of Workforce Skills, Vishaal Gupta, for a discussion on transforming skills development and talent planning for the AI era. They’ll talk about how rapid intervention is needed or we risk the AI skills gap becoming a skills chasm, threatening the ability of individuals and organizations to thrive in an AI-powered future.

I’ll be also joining Vishaal and Jeana for a discussion at ASU-GSV on skilling for the AI era. We’ll dive deeper into how the Microsoft and Pearson collaboration will transform and scale AI skilling and help organizations equip learners and workers with the critical skills they need to succeed in a technology-driven world.

Rethinking reskilling

Given the urgent need to rethink learning and reskill workers, Microsoft and Pearson will collaborate in several ways, including:

• Personalized learning at scale – Pearson will power its trusted and world-renowned content, assessment, upskilling, and certification services with Microsoft Azure cloud computing and AI infrastructure. This partnership will help Pearson further scale AI and technology capabilities across the business, expanding personalized learning and AI-enabled services to millions of learners, at different stages in their learning journey across the globe.
• Innovative collaboration – Pearson and Microsoft will launch a strategic collaboration aimed at helping people build AI proficiency and technical skills through new AI credentials and certifications. Additionally, Pearson and Microsoft will collaborate on a series of copilots, agents, and AI tools targeted at helping people develop skills—such as English language learning—and identify skills gaps seamlessly while they work.
• Investing in technology-driven careers – Microsoft will extend its current partnership with Pearson VUE, a key provider of Microsoft Cloud and Office certifications, through 2029. These certifications have already helped millions of young people, educators, and workers prepare for jobs that use Microsoft’s world-class technology. This expansion will open these vital credentials to scores of additional learners and workers around the world.
• Powering the Pearson workforce – After having piloted and tested Microsoft 365 Copilot, Pearson will expand its use by deploying it to its global workforce. This is part of an ongoing effort to introduce workplace AI tools that enhance efficiency, creativity, and productivity and drive better operational performance.

The partnership extends the efforts of both Microsoft and Pearson to provide AI skilling to people across the globe. In 2024, Microsoft and its partners trained and certified over 23 million people in digital skills. Pearson launched its Generative AI Foundations certification to equip professionals and students with the essential skills needed to work with generative AI technologies. Additionally, organizations around the world use Pearson VUE, along with Pearson’s AI-powered Faethm capability, and Credly badging to diagnose, assess, and certify skills.

Develop your AI skills

Curious about additional ways to develop AI literacy and build AI skills? Get started today and join the Microsoft AI Skills Fest. Registration is open now to engage in deep dives, experiential content, hackathons, and practical sessions that will enhance your AI skills over 50 days of discovery and learning, starting April 8, 2025.

There’s a significant opportunity to work together to build AI skills and empower the future workforce. Whether you, your team, or your students are just getting started or looking to refine your capabilities, discover resources to support your journey.

¹ IDC InfoBrief: sponsored by Microsoft, 2024 Business Opportunity of AI, IDC# US52699124, November 2024

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