UFT warns about inadequate AI training
United Federation of TeachersMary Vaccaro, UFT executive officer
Speaking for the UFT, Mary Vaccaro warned of inadequate training and called for safe, ethical use.
“The problem right now is that no one has had enough training in AI”
Interview
Where this statement fits
Should schools pause student-facing AI despite Microsoft’s new privacy safeguards?
Microsoft and the National Academy for AI Instruction signed school-AI privacy and safety standards announced with the AFT and UFT on September 9. Fairplay’s Josh Golin welcomes the privacy improvements but calls for a five-year pause on generative AI in schools. New York City’s September 2 policy illustrates a different approach: pause most direct use through eighth grade while allowing restricted high-school pilots. Kristen Gonzalez and Carmen De La Rosa support the younger-grade ban but urge postponement of the pilots until the tools can be properly assessed.
Source and context
Interview
About this source
Original interviews published October 8; interview dates unspecified. Student accounts concern classroom use. City guidance permits teacher planning while restricting student instruction.
Before the quotation
Gothamist asked about classroom AI use. October 8 is publication date; interview date unspecified.
After the quotation
Vaccaro called for educators to receive guidance before using AI.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The union seeks training and limits rather than rejecting all use.
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The Dispute Index. "UFT warns about inadequate AI training". First published: 2026-10-09. Last updated: 2026-10-09. https://disputeindex.com/events/5290-speaking-for-the-uft-mary-vaccaro-warned-of