Microsoft Commits to Sweeping AI Privacy Rules for Students. Will Other Tech Giants Follow?

Microsoft has agreed to adopt guardrails and privacy standards for its AI in schools, as negotiated with the American Federation of Teachers. This move comes as millions of students use AI chatbots daily for help with schoolwork, emotional support, and personal advice, often without knowing where their conversations and personal information end up.

The safety provisions in the agreement have been welcomed, but some argue that they will only be effective if all AI companies, especially tech giants, sign on. According to Josh Golin, executive director of online safety nonprofit Fairplay, the agreement does not address whether AI products belong in classrooms or at what age they should be introduced.

The issue of AI and screen time in schools is a growing concern for educators, parents, and kids. Some school districts, such as New York City and Los Angeles, have put the brakes on student use of AI for one year while they study how to best incorporate the technology into education.

Brief written by urgent.news from SecurityWeek, Economic Times Tech, Winnipeg Free Press — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.