National 4-H Council and Microsoft extend $10M partnership to expand AI education for rural youth and educators – Source

WASHINGTON — Dec. 1, 2025 — For eight years, National 4-H Council and Microsoft Corp. have closed the digital divide in rural communities. This collaboration has a track record of turning vision into action — from the 4-H Tech Changemakers initiative that expanded digital skills in rural communities, to reaching 1.4 million youth with the AI Foundations curriculum through Minecraft Education in 2024. This investment reaffirms both organizations’ shared mission to prepare young people for an AI-powered world through Microsoft Minecraft education.

By the numbers

Research by 4-H and Microsoft shows that young people are interested in AI — but many don’t feel prepared to use it.

• 66% of youth ages 9 to 17 say they know at least a little about generative AI.
• 72% want adult guidance to help them use it responsibly.
• 64% believe AI will help them learn skills for future careers.
• Only 28% of rural youth say they know “a great deal” or “a fair…