Microsoft, DepEd train 2,000 teachers in A.I. literacy
Microsoft Philippines and the Department of Education (DepEd) are partnering to train and credential 2,000 public school teachers in artificial intelligence literacy, as part of efforts to promote the safe and responsible use of AI in classrooms.
The initiative, launched on 5 November, brings together Microsoft Elevate for Educators, the AI Classroom Toolkit, and Behind the Chat: A Human Guide to Safe AI Conversations to help teachers integrate AI into learning while guiding students on digital safety.
Around 100 senior high school teachers attended a full-day hands-on training at the Microsoft Philippines office in Makati City. The Department of Information and Communications Technology and ChildFund Philippines also participated in the launch.
Microsoft will work with Audentes Technologies, its training partner, to train and credential 2,000 DepEd educators through instructor-led sessions and digital badges over the coming months.
The program will include two virtual sessions in November, followed by eight live learning sessions from January to May 2027. A recognition day for participating teachers is scheduled for May 2027.
Microsoft Philippines managing director Caroline Foo said preparing educators for AI requires more than familiarity with digital tools.
“But the future will demand more than knowing how to use new tools. It will require judgment, adaptability and a strong sense of responsibility,” Foo said.
The Microsoft Elevate for Educators platform provides professional development, credentials and access to a global community of more than 100,000 educators. Its free credential program was developed with ISTE+ASCD and aligned with the AI Literacy Framework.
Meanwhile, Behind the Chat offers scenario-based resources for students, teachers, parents and caregivers, covering online privacy, oversharing, AI-guided decision-making and emotional attachment.
Developed with Cyberlite, the resource draws on co-design workshops involving 131 students aged 12 to 18 from nine schools in India and Singapore.
The AI Classroom Toolkit, also developed with Cyberlite, provides classroom lessons on AI safety, critical thinking, verification and media literacy.
The initiatives build on the expanded partnership between Microsoft and DepEd announced in August 2026, under which Microsoft committed to providing 1-million public school teachers access to Microsoft Copilot.