According to a new report from the South China Morning PostMicrosoft has committed to expanding its generative AI services to K-12 schools.
In a major move for the education sector, Microsoft will retain access to OpenAI’s models despite recent restrictions imposed on the company in Hong Kong and China.
The news follows the successful launch of GenAI in the classroom in collaboration with the Education University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Primary School, where over 200 students were given access to AI tools.
Microsoft to roll out AI in Hong Kong classrooms
The company’s previous efforts to bring AI into the classroom resulted in more than 200 K-12 students gaining access to an AI chatbot and text-to-image generation tools powered by OpenAI’s GPT and Dall-E models.
The expansion into primary and secondary education is made possible by Gamenoodlesoup, a global training partner specializing in education and entertainment technology.
Fred Sheu, National Technology Officer at Microsoft Hong Kong, affirmed the company’s continued commitment to the region: “I believe our education offerings in Hong Kong will definitely continue.”
Microsoft’s AI push in Asia comes as OpenAI has restricted its API access in the region due to geopolitical tensions between the US and China. However, despite the ongoing tensions, Sheu assured that Microsoft’s Azure AI services will remain unaffected, despite the company’s affiliation with OpenAI.
More broadly, Microsoft’s own operations in China have recently come under scrutiny, with its president, Brad Smith, confirming that China represents just 1.5% of global revenue.
Elsa Cheung Kam Yan, principal of Jockey Club Primary School, spoke about generative AI in the classroom and highlighted the educational benefits of the technology, noting that it provides students with broader access to information and encourages them to look beyond conventional sources.