Microsoft Elevate Washington: World-class AI for every student and teacher, right here at home
October 9, 2025
For more than a century, Washington state has punched well above its weight. From the first flights of a global aerospace giant to the rise of world-leading technology firms and retail companies, our state has been a launchpad for groundbreaking innovations. Today, as cloud and AI technologies reshape the world, Washington stands at the edge of another transformation—one that will define the future of work, learning, and opportunity.
We believe the future starts here at home. That’s why we’re investing in the people who live, learn, and teach in our own backyard. Our goal? To ensure the state of Washington benefits first from the innovations we are creating for the world. We want to ensure that Washington not only remains a national hub for technology and entrepreneurship but that our students are among the most prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.
Today, we see a troubling trend—one that could undermine our shared future. Analysis of Microsoft data by our AI for Good Lab shows a marked disparity in AI use across the state. In counties with the highest use of AI along the Puget Sound—Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Whatcom—AI is already used by more than 30 percent of the population. Snohomish leads with 35 percent. Yet in seven rural counties in eastern Washington, usage drops well below 10 percent. Ferry County ranks lowest, with just 2.5 percent of residents using AI—a tenfold gap compared to the state’s most connected regions.
