Brian Ler on WNYC.

Now we'll look at a perhaps surprising collaboration taking place in New York City

public schools between big tech and labor.

Last week, the American Federation of Teachers Union announced a $23 million

initiative with Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic to bring artificial intelligence training

and membership to its rank and file.

This includes a new AI training space in the headquarters of the New York City

local chapter, the UFT, that's being called the National Center for AI. As you might imagine,

teachers have mixed feelings about this partnership. Is this a responsible way to integrate

technological innovation into our schools? Or is this a Trojan horse that threatens

the teaching profession as we know it, not to mention students' ability to learn and to think?

We did a segment about that on last week's show. With us now to talk about the teachers on both

sides of this debate is WNYC and Gothamist education reporter Jessica Gould.

Hey, Jess.

Hi.

So many listeners have not heard the basics of this deal between the AFT and AI.

I just gave a little of that.

Can you give us some more details of the deal?

Like who's paying the $23 million to bring AI to schools?

Well, the tech companies are paying the $23 million.

And as you said, it's a deal with the AFT, which is the National Union.

But the UFT is playing a prominent role and housing this brick-and-mortar training center,

...