OpenAI and Walton: AI Transforms K–12 Education

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Key Takeaways

1OpenAI and the Walton Family Foundation are launching the AI Skills Jam for K–12 educators this summer.

2The event aims to integrate AI into teaching, with over 1,600 participants expected.

3Teachers using AI save an average of 5.9 hours per week, according to a study.

💡Why it matters — The initiative could transform education by making AI accessible and useful for teachers, thereby optimizing their time and teaching methods.

OpenAI and Walton Family Foundation: An Initiative for K–12 Education

Every day, K–12 teachers and school administrators strive to prepare students for the future while navigating a constantly evolving technological landscape. They must juggle increasing responsibilities and often unequal access to the resources needed to integrate these new technologies into their teaching.

To address these challenges, the OpenAI Academy, in collaboration with the Walton Family Foundation, is organizing a major event this summer: the AI Skills Jam. This event is designed to provide a practical and safe framework for K–12 educators, allowing them to move from mere curiosity to concrete use of artificial intelligence. Inspired by the success of previous events like the Nonprofit AI Jam and the Small Business AI Jam, this gathering is set to welcome over 1,600 teachers, administrators, and district leaders across several U.S. cities for in-person workshops.

The goal of the AI Skills Jam is to help educators discover how AI can be an asset in teaching, planning, and communication, while promoting a responsible and informed adoption of these technologies in the educational field.

The Impact of AI on Teachers' Time

According to a study conducted by the Walton Family Foundation in collaboration with Gallup, titled Teaching for Tomorrow: Closing the Expectations Gap, teachers who integrate AI tools into their weekly routine save an average of 5.9 hours per week. Over a school year, this amounts to approximately six weeks of work saved. This time gained is often reinvested in enriching activities such as providing more personalized feedback to students, preparing tailored lessons, or improving communication with parents, not to mention the possibility of finishing their workday at a more reasonable hour.

During the AI Skills Jam, participants will receive the necessary support to start using AI confidently and reap tangible benefits.

Hands-On and Personalized Learning

During this event, participants will work alongside OpenAI mentors to learn how to integrate AI into their professional lives. Workshops will cover various aspects such as lesson planning, communication with parents and staff, and administrative tasks. These hands-on sessions will be designed to meet the specific needs of classrooms and school systems, providing educators with the time and space to explore tools, ask questions, share concerns, and build their confidence.

Additionally, participants will have access to the OpenAI Academy, a free online platform that offers resources and guidance on best practices for using AI, allowing them to continue their learning beyond the event.

A Long-Term Commitment to Educators

OpenAI's ambition goes beyond organizing a simple workshop. The goal is to build lasting relationships with educators, school system leaders, and partners in the educational ecosystem.

“Educators play a central role in helping communities adapt to new technologies,” said Leah Belsky, Vice President of Education at OpenAI. “Through the AI Skills Jam, we aim to provide practical support and trusted learning environments for teachers and school leaders, while giving them the opportunity to shape the responsible use of AI in education.”

Locations and Partners of the AI Skills Jam

The AI Skills Jam events for K–12 educators will take place in several cities, with confirmed local partners:

Jonesboro, GA, with Clayton County Public Schools — Wednesday, July 8
Fairfax, VA, with Fairfax County Public Schools — Thursday, July 9
Orlando, FL, during the PTA conference with the Parent Teacher Association — Saturday, July 11
Chicago, IL, with District 211 — Wednesday, July 15
San Bernardino, CA, with San Bernardino City Unified School District — Wednesday, July 22
Phoenix, AZ, with Vertex Education and Legacy Traditional Schools — Friday, July 31
Salt Lake City, UT, with Davis School District — Friday, August 7
Las Vegas, NV, with Vertex Education and Legacy Traditional Schools — Friday, September 4

We express our gratitude to the districts, school systems, educators, partners, and the Walton Family Foundation for their support of this initiative. Their leadership and expertise are crucial to making AI accessible, responsible, and beneficial in the field of education.