AFT, UFT and Microsoft Forge Enforceable AI Safety Standard for U.S. Schools

On September 9, 2026, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and Microsoft unveiled a National AI Safety & Privacy Standard that turns broad principles into legally enforceable rules for schools. The agreement bars tech firms from using student data to train AI models, prohibits student tracking, and requires human oversight for any AI‑driven decisions. It also obliges companies to provide parents and educators with plain‑language explanations of how their tools work and what data they collect. Districts can embed these safeguards directly into Microsoft customer agreements, making them contractually binding. The framework follows New York City’s recent screen and AI ban and has already been adopted by Los Angeles Unified, New York State United Teachers and the city’s schools. The standard gives districts a clear legal path to terminate contracts or seek damages if providers violate the rules.