Kennewick School District is one of 10 Washington school districts selected for a Microsoft program to expand artificial intelligence skills among the state’s future workforce. 

KSD will receive a $75,000 grant from Microsoft to support AI projects, along with $25,000 worth of consulting funded by the tech company to identify effective and responsible ways to adopt AI across the district. 

“This is an exciting partnership for the future of Kennewick,” Tina Brewer, director of professional learning and development, said in a statement. “We believe every student deserves a world-class education, and the support from Microsoft allows us to level the playing field.” 

Bellevue-based Microsoft announced its multiyear Microsoft Elevate Washington initiative in October 2025. Company officials said the effort is motivated by how few use AI in parts of the state, particularly east of the Cascades.  

“As we’ve learned firsthand from working for a decade on broadband accessibility across the state, this isn’t just a technology gap; it’s an opportunity gap. Because in tomorrow’s economy, those who understand and use AI will do better than those who don’t,” Microsoft said in a statement announcing the effort last fall. 

The tech company has already made Copilot Studio, a tool that can help school staff build AI applications, available to all 295 school districts and 34 community colleges free of charge for the next three years.   

The tool’s applications include enhancing data analysis, supporting school year planning and scheduling and teacher lesson planning, among others.