June 24, 2026, (Inside AI) — Microsoft’s third annual AI in Education Report, released today, reveals that 92% of students and education leaders and 88% of educators have already used AI for school-related purposes. The survey of 3,345 respondents across K-12 and higher education in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Japan, and Saudi Arabia shows AI adoption is widespread, but formal training and clear guidelines lag behind.
The report, conducted by PSB Insights, found that 58% of education leaders say their schools are implementing or scaling AI. Yet only 23% of students and 47% of educators have received formal AI training. 66% of educators and 52% of students want monthly or quarterly training. Academic integrity worries 41% of students and 42% of educators, highlighting the need for practical guardrails.
Microsoft is responding with new tools and training. Matt Jubelirer, General Manager of Education Marketing at Microsoft, said:
“Educators around the world are embracing AI as a classroom ally, and they’re now asking not if, but how to make the most of it. For Microsoft, that means designing AI experiences grounded in learning science and shaped by educator feedback to support instruction while keeping teachers in control. It also means pairing those tools with training and support that fit the time constraints of the school year, so teachers can use AI with confidence and impact. We’re approaching AI in education as a partner in learning, built to earn educators’ trust and help every student build skills and think critically, rather than just an ‘answer engine’ doing the work for them.”
New Tools Embed AI into Daily Workflows
Microsoft is integrating AI directly into Microsoft 365 Education and learning management systems. Unit Plans in Teach lets educators create standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes using the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. Student AI Guidelines and Learning Groups in Assignments allow teachers to set expectations for responsible AI use and tailor instruction. Learning Zone offers real-time visibility into student activity and is now available for trial on all Windows 11 devices for the next year.
For students, Copilot Notebooks turns class materials into interactive study guides within the Microsoft 365 Copilot app at no extra cost. The Study and Learn Agent in Copilot Chat provides guided practice and feedback without doing the work for students. These tools aim to build independence and critical thinking while keeping students in control.
Closing the Skills Gap with Credentials
Training remains the top request. 87% of educators and leaders and 79% of students agree that AI literacy is crucial for the future. Microsoft’s Elevate for Educators program now includes an AI Literacy for Educators credential, co-created with ISTE + ASCD and aligned with European Commission and OECD frameworks. The credential is free and aims to build confidence and responsibility.
The report underscores a pivotal moment: schools are past experimentation but need structured support to scale AI responsibly. Microsoft’s announcements ahead of ISTELive 2026 in Orlando signal a push to embed AI into pedagogy, not just technology. The advanced recognition application window for the 2026-2027 academic year closes July 31, 2026.
