The University of Washington and Microsoft have expanded their long-standing partnership to accelerate artificial intelligence research and education, with a focus on preparing Washington’s workforce for an AI-driven economy.
The announcement was made by UW President Robert J. Jones and Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith during an event at the UW’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering. The expanded collaboration will increase the University’s access to advanced AI computing power, broaden internship and applied research opportunities, and introduce new community AI literacy programs, including a foundational AI course designed for working Washingtonians.
The initiative builds on Microsoft’s decades-long support of the University, which includes $165 million in investments toward student scholarships and enhancements to UW’s computer science and engineering programs. Combined with ongoing state and federal support, these investments have helped expand access to higher education and strengthen Washington’s skilled workforce pipeline.
The timing of the expansion comes as projections indicate Washington will need to fill approximately 1.5 million job vacancies by 2032, including about 640,000 new jobs and 910,000 openings due to retirements, according to Partnership for Learning. Up to 75% of those roles are expected to require post-secondary credentials, with four-year and advanced degrees in highest demand. If current trends continue, the state could face a shortfall of nearly 600,000 credentialed workers over the next decade.
The Washington State Legislature’s current majority budget proposals would keep UW funding largely stable. Lawmakers have historically supported workforce development through measures such as the Washington Workforce Education Investment Act, which since 2019 has generated more than $2 billion in dedicated funding to expand higher education access, and the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, a public-private partnership that has delivered nearly $150 million in scholarships statewide. One-third of Washington State Opportunity Scholarship recipients attend UW.
Under the expanded partnership, Microsoft and UW will provide faculty, researchers, and students with access to advanced computing capabilities to support AI training, experimentation, research, and instruction. Microsoft will also donate Azure cloud computing credits to accelerate development of a research cloud computing platform.
The companies will launch a new “research marketplace” initiative supported by Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab to connect UW faculty, visiting professors, and students with real-world research opportunities at Microsoft. The program will add 10 additional graduate student researcher slots annually, including eight through Microsoft Research and two within the AI for Good Lab.
The collaboration will also support undergraduate students in developing ethical judgment, digital citizenship, and leadership skills related to emerging technologies, including AI. Through UW’s Continuum College, which serves more than 50,000 learners annually across 400 programs, the partners will create new programming to help Washington residents navigate AI-related workforce transitions. These offerings will focus on career resilience, evolving job demands, and adapting to shifting professional identities.
Beginning this fall, the partnership will expand onto Microsoft’s Redmond campus with a new collaboration designed to deepen workforce-connected education and applied learning. The effort will support co-development of select courses and learning experiences for Microsoft employees adapting to rapid AI-driven change, while enabling UW students to learn alongside industry professionals and gain practical insight as part of their academic programs. Additional details are expected later this year.
Since taking office as UW’s 34th president in August 2025, Jones has prioritized expanding access to education, including a goal of making a UW degree debt-free for Washington undergraduates, fostering transformative collaborations with business and community partners, and removing barriers between the University and the communities it serves.
KEY QUOTES:
“Our long-standing partnership with Microsoft demonstrates what’s possible when universities and industry come together to support students and our society, and we are grateful for their continued support. Together, we’re expanding students’ access to hands-on learning, advancing AI research and strengthening our workforce. These new elements of our partnership with Microsoft continue to position the UW and our state as leaders in access to higher education and at the forefront of the emerging technologies that can drive broad-based prosperity.”
Robert J. Jones, President of the University of Washington
“President Jones has outlined a bold vision for the University of Washington, one that expands access and affordability in higher ed, forges radical partnerships and strengthens civic health. It’s essential that this vision includes broad access to AI technology and the skills to use it, so students, workers and communities across Washington are prepared for this new era of computing and can share fully in its benefits. It’s critical that industry, colleges and universities, and policy makers continue to work together to maintain the region’s economy and climate of innovation and discovery. That includes avoiding going backward by making cuts to core state funding that would make a college degree less accessible to our state’s students.”
Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft
