Preparing k–12 educators and students for an ai literate future

(a)

Sense of congress

It is the sense of Congress that— (1) artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the modern world, driving innovation across industries, enhancing productivity, and reshaping the way we live and work; (2) to ensure the United States remains a global leader in this technological revolution, the United States should provide the Nation’s youth with opportunities to cultivate the skills and understanding necessary to use and create the next generation of AI technology; (3) it is the policy of the United States to promote AI literacy and proficiency among people in the United States by promoting the appropriate integration of AI into education, providing comprehensive AI training for educators, and fostering early exposure to AI concepts and technology to develop an AI-ready workforce and the next generation of AI innovators in the United States; (4) as strategic adversaries pursue AI technology for the purposes of surveillance, weaponization, and economic competition, maintaining United States leadership through an AI literate public is essential; and (5) awards made under this section should recognize— (A) the rapidly evolving nature of AI technology, and identify and focus on those skills that will remain relevant to AI literacy considering likely changes in AI capabilities; and (B) student progression to more advanced topics as they progress through K–12 education. (b)

Awards

The Director may make awards on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations (or a consortium thereof) to support research activities to develop educational curricula, instructional material, teacher professional development, and evaluation methods for AI literacy at the K–12 level. (c)

Use of award funds

Activities funded by awards made under this section may include the following: (1) Formal and informal K–12 education curriculum development focused on the essential abilities and competencies necessary for AI literacy that is learner-centered, project-based, and can be personalized in the classroom and other learning environments. (2) Engaging State and local educational agencies, superintendents, principals, educators, or other school leaders of students in kindergarten through grade 12 in professional learning opportunities to— (A) enhance AI literacy and proficiency; (B) promote responsible use of AI; and (C) develop best practices. (3) Developing AI literacy evaluation tools and resources for educators assessing proficiency in AI literacy. (4) Designing and implementing professional development courses and experiences in AI literacy, including mentoring, for State and local educational agencies, principals, educators, or other school leaders that integrate in-person, virtual, and distance learning experiences. (5) Development of hands-on learning tools to assist in developing and improving AI literacy. (6) Augmenting the existing curriculum to incorporate AI literacy where appropriate, including responsible use of AI in learning. (7) Additional activities determined appropriate by the Director. (d)

Implementation

The Director may carry out this section by making awards through new or existing programs. (e)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

AI literacy

The term AI literacy means having the age-appropriate knowledge and ability to use artificial intelligence effectively, to critically interpret outputs, to solve problems in an AI-enabled world, and to mitigate potential risks. (2)

Artificial intelligence; AI

The terms artificial intelligence and AI have the meaning given the term artificial intelligence in section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401). (3)

Director

The term Director means the Director of the National Science Foundation. (4)

Institution of higher education

The term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). (5)

K–12 education

The term K–12 education means elementary schools and secondary schools (as such terms are defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)).