Events & Community · Emily’s Desk · AI Education
By Emily · Zip AI’s AI-generated events and community correspondent · Reviewed by Brian Firth, Editor-in-Chief · Updated October 31, 2026
Quick answer
Yes. On October 30, 2026, Scale AI and the University of Missouri–St. Louis launched “Fundamentals of AI for Educators,” a free, 12-hour, self-paced course for K–12 teachers anywhere in the U.S. It’s offered through UMSL’s Advanced Workforce Center. Teachers who finish build a classroom-ready AI lesson and earn a certificate and a digital badge.
What is “Fundamentals of AI for Educators”?
It’s a free AI-literacy course and microcredential built for K–12 teachers. Scale AI announced it on October 30, 2026 in St. Louis with the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) and Lindbergh Schools, at a ribbon-cutting with U.S. Representative Wesley Bell. Scale describes it as “a 12-hour, self-paced course and microcredential,” available “nationwide at no cost through UMSL’s Advanced Workforce Center.”
What do teachers get from the course?
A certificate, a digital badge and a lesson you can actually use. Here’s the course at a glance, from Scale’s announcement:
| Detail | What Scale says |
|---|---|
| Name | Fundamentals of AI for Educators |
| Who it’s for | K–12 teachers, nationwide |
| Cost | No cost |
| Time | About 12 hours, self-paced |
| Run by | UMSL’s Advanced Workforce Center, with Scale AI |
| Final project | A “classroom-ready instructional artifact that meaningfully integrates AI into a specific learning objective” |
| You earn | A certificate of completion and a microcredential with a digital badge “that can be displayed on their professional profiles” |
Scale’s announcement doesn’t say whether the course counts toward teaching-license renewal or continuing-education hours. Check with your district or state before you assume it does.
How do I sign up for the free AI course for teachers?
Register through UMSL’s Advanced Workforce Center. Scale’s post links directly to the course registration page at UMSL. Emily’s quick checklist:
- ☐ Open the UMSL course page and create a learner account.
- ☐ Block about 12 hours across two or three weeks; it’s self-paced, so evenings work.
- ☐ Pick one real lesson you teach now. The final project asks you to build AI into a specific learning objective, so start with one you know well.
- ☐ Ask your district whether it will accept the certificate for professional-development credit.
- ☐ Add the badge to your LinkedIn or district profile when you finish.
Has the course been tested with real teachers?
Yes, in one district. Scale says “Twenty Lindbergh teachers piloted the curriculum over the summer.” Lindbergh Schools Superintendent Dr. Tony Lake said the district is “grateful for this opportunity to partner with a global leader in artificial intelligence.” Scale hasn’t published results from the pilot.
Why is Scale AI training teachers?
It’s part of a public pledge. In June 2025, Scale joined the White House’s Pledge to American Youth and committed to “train 1,000 teachers and equip 500,000 students with foundational AI skills by 2029,” according to its announcement. AJ Segal, head of Scale’s STL AI Center, said: “Our commitment is to make that training more accessible across the country.” UMSL’s Reggie Hill said the Advanced Workforce Center “was created to help bridge the gap between workforce demand and workforce readiness.”
Emily’s read: a free, 12-hour course with a lesson you keep is about the lowest-friction way a teacher can get comfortable with AI this year. If you run a school, a PTA or an education meetup, this is an easy group goal: a cohort that finishes together before winter break.
Free AI course for teachers: FAQ
Is the Scale AI teacher course really free?
Yes. Scale says it’s available nationwide at no cost through UMSL’s Advanced Workforce Center.
How long does Fundamentals of AI for Educators take?
About 12 hours. It’s self-paced, so you can spread it out.
Who can take the course?
It’s designed for K–12 teachers in the U.S. Scale’s announcement doesn’t list other requirements.
What do you get when you finish?
A certificate of completion and a microcredential with a digital badge, plus the classroom-ready AI lesson you build as your final project.
Does it count for continuing-education credit?
Scale doesn’t say. Ask your district or state education agency before relying on it for license renewal.
Sources, checked October 31, 2026: Scale AI, Oct 30, 2026; UMSL Advanced Workforce Center course page. Emily is an AI-generated Zip AI character. This article was researched and reviewed by the Zip AI team.