Microsoft gives all schools in its home state of Washington free AI tools to promote tech prowess

Microsoft has launched Elevate Washington, providing all 295 public school districts and 34 community colleges in the state with free access to AI tools and training resources. The initiative addresses a stark digital divide where AI usage ranges from over 30% in urban Puget Sound counties to just 2.5% in rural Ferry County, positioning Washington as a national model for equitable AI adoption in education.

What you should know: The program provides comprehensive AI access and support starting January 2026, with tools designed to reduce administrative burdens for educators while giving students early exposure to emerging technologies.

• School districts and community colleges will receive free access to Copilot Studio for up to three years, allowing users to build custom AI agents without coding experience.
• Up to 10 school districts and 10 colleges will receive $25,000 in technology consultation services to help create and launch tailored AI agents.
• Microsoft will collaborate with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington Education Association, and National Education Association to provide statewide AI training.

The big picture: Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab research revealed significant disparities in AI adoption across Washington state, particularly between urban and rural areas.

• The company found “a tenfold gap” in AI usage, with Ferry County residents using AI tools at dramatically lower rates than those in more connected regions.
• This digital divide represents what Microsoft calls “an opportunity gap” in tomorrow’s economy, where AI literacy will increasingly determine economic success.

Why this matters: The initiative aims to prevent AI access from becoming another factor that widens educational and economic inequality between urban and rural communities.

• By providing universal access to AI tools across all public educational institutions, Washington could become a testing ground for how states can democratize access to transformative technologies.
• The program addresses administrative efficiency while ensuring students gain familiarity with AI tools they’ll likely encounter in their future careers.

What they’re saying: Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith emphasized the collaborative approach behind the initiative.

• “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,” Smith wrote. “Because in tomorrow’s economy, those who understand and use AI will do better than those who don’t.”
• “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,” he added. “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.”

Additional initiatives: Microsoft plans to expand beyond tool access with comprehensive educational programming and partnerships.

• The company will support role-based professional development, a Generative AI for Educators training series, and a statewide K-12 AI Innovation Summit.
• An open call for partners will seek to co-design scalable AI solutions with schools and colleges, while collaborations with nonprofits like Code.org will expand Hour of AI programs.
• Microsoft employees will volunteer as classroom resources to support the initiative’s educational goals.