Amazon launches free AI training for Australian schools

Amazon and Tech Futures Australia have launched two free education programmes for Australian schools as new research highlights a gap between teachers' interest in artificial intelligence training and the tools available in classrooms.

The initiatives are Virtual Teacher Training, an online professional development course for teachers, and Lumen AI, a classroom AI learning environment for kindergarten to Year 12. Both aim to help teachers deliver digital technologies and AI using curriculum-linked materials and school-safe tools.

Survey data commissioned by Amazon found that 96% of teachers would take part in free AI training, but only 32% had access to approved tools they could use with students in class. It also found that 76% felt enthusiastic about using AI in the classroom, while 78% were already using AI tools to support their own productivity.

The research identified several barriers. About 43% of teachers cited a lack of formal training in digital technologies, 39% pointed to a shortage of curriculum-aligned resources, and 24% were unsure how digital technologies fit within the curriculum.

Teacher support

Virtual Teacher Training is a self-paced online course covering Python programming, computational thinking, and classroom implementation. It also includes lesson materials and a browser-based coding environment, removing the need for software installation.

Tech Futures Australia developed the programme with support from Amazon. The not-for-profit said the format was designed to fit around teacher workloads and reduce technical barriers that can limit classroom use.

Lumen AI is positioned as a controlled AI environment for schools rather than a general-purpose public tool. It includes guided activities such as essay development and image generation, alongside material designed to help students understand how AI systems work, where their limits lie, and how they are used in practice.

The platform is intended to support teacher-led lessons with structured exercises and classroom-ready materials. Additional modules for students, parents, and carers form part of the broader AI literacy programme.

Economic pressure

The launch comes amid broader policy and labour market pressure on governments, schools, and employers to improve digital skills. Figures cited by the organisations show the Tech Council of Australia projects AI could contribute up to AUD $600 billion to gross domestic product by 2030, while the country could face a shortfall of 60,000 AI professionals by 2027 without earlier intervention.

That backdrop has pushed technology companies into a more direct role in schools, particularly where teacher training and classroom tools have not kept pace with growing interest in digital subjects. The survey results suggest teacher demand is already strong, but access to approved resources remains uneven.

Louise Stigwood, Managing Director, ANZ Public Sector, AWS, said the programmes were built around what teachers said they needed. "Tech Futures Australia, with support from Amazon and AWS, is creating locally developed, curriculum-aligned programs that equip Australia's most critical education enablers, teachers, with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools needed to prepare themselves and the next generation for a digital and AI future," she said.

"By empowering teachers first, we're helping to create a foundation for long-term impact that will benefit students, workers, and the Australian economy for years to come," Stigwood added.

Megan Fyfe, Chief Executive Officer of Tech Futures Australia, said the programmes were a direct response to requests from schools. "We built these programs because Australian teachers told us exactly what they needed - structured training, curriculum-aligned resources, and safe, practical tools they could actually use in the classroom," she said.

She added, "That's what Virtual Teacher Training and Lumen AI deliver. With the support of Amazon and AWS, we're able to bring them to teachers across the country at no cost, helping ensure every student has the opportunity to build the digital and AI skills that will shape their future."

Virtual Teacher Training is available free to Australian teachers online. The programme aims to reach 10,000 teachers and 500,000 students by 2028 across metropolitan, regional, and remote communities.

Lumen AI is being introduced nationally in stages. The platform was built specifically for classroom use, with a focus on approved, structured engagement rather than open-ended access to consumer AI systems.

Stigwood said the broader aim is to strengthen digital education by supporting teachers. "Building digital capability and understanding must start at the school level, but it can only happen if teachers have the confidence, training, and tools to deliver it. These programs are designed to create a pathway from teacher capability to student outcomes to ensure Australia can continue to forge its path as a global leader, build our national capability for success on the global stage," she said.