Microsoft Pitches Copilot to 200 Manhattan Teachers as Big Tech Deepens Grip on Schools
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 23
Microsoft Pitches Copilot to 200 Manhattan Teachers as Big Tech Deepens Grip on Schools
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 23
Summary
About 200 teachers gathered in downtown Manhattan in summer 2025 for a Microsoft workshop that trained them to use Copilot for parent emails, lesson plans and other classroom tasks.
Microsoft also showed an AI explainer video from its Minecraft Education unit, urging teachers to introduce AI concepts even to students too young to use the tools directly.
The session reflects a broader push by Amazon, Apple, Meta, OpenAI and Google parent Alphabet, which have run similar school workshops for teachers and students.
The article argues those programs can help educators keep up with new software but also function as marketing, giving schools a sanitized view of product risks and industry practices.