[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 24, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5363-S5366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 3068. Ms. CANTWELL (for herself and Mr. Moran) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 4638, to
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2025 for military activities
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of title X, insert the following:
Subtitle I--NSF AI Education Act of 2024
SEC. 1099. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the ``NSF AI Education Act of
2024''.
SEC. 1099A. DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1) Artificial intelligence; ai.--The term ``artificial
intelligence'' or ``AI'' has the meaning given such term in
section 5002 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15 U.S.C.
9401).
(2) Community college.--The term ``community college'' has
the meaning given the term ``junior or community college'' in
section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1058(f)).
(3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the National Science Foundation.
(4) Emerging research institution.--The term ``emerging
research institution'' has the meaning given the term in
section 10002 of the Research and Development, Competition,
and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18901).
(5) EPSCoR institution.--The term ``EPSCoR institution''
means an institution of higher education, nonprofit
organization, or other institution located in a jurisdiction
eligible to participate in the Established Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research under section 113 of the
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42
U.S.C. 1862g).
(6) High school.--The term ``high school'' has the meaning
given that term in section 8101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(7) Historically black college and university.--The term
``historically Black college and university'' has the meaning
given the term ``part B institution'' in section 322 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
(8) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(9) Key emerging technologies.--The term ``key emerging
technologies'' means the technologies included in the initial
list of key technology focus areas set forth by section
10387(c) of the Research and Development, Competition, and
Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19107(c)), photonics, and
electronics.
(10) Labor organization.--The term ``labor organization''
has the meaning given the term in section 2(5) of the
National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(5)), except that
such term shall also include--
(A) any organization composed of labor organizations, such
as a labor union federation or a State or municipal labor
body; and
(B) any organization that would be included in the
definition for such term under such section 2(5) but for the
fact that the organization represents--
(i) individuals employed by the United States, any wholly
owned Government corporation, any Federal Reserve Bank, or
any State or political subdivision thereof;
(ii) individuals employed by persons subject to the Railway
Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 151 et seq.); or
(iii) individuals employed as agricultural laborers.
(11) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
serving institution'' has the meaning given the term in
section 10002 of the Research and Development, Competition,
and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18901).
(12) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory''
has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
[[Page S5364]]
(13) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit
organization'' means an organization which is described in
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.
(14) Quantum hybrid computing.--The term ``quantum hybrid
computing'' means the use of quantum computing in conjunction
with classical computing.
(15) Quantum information science.--The term ``quantum
information science'' means the use of the laws of quantum
physics for the storage, transmission, manipulation,
computing, or measurement of information.
(16) Rural-located institution of higher education.--The
term ``rural-located institution of higher education'' means
an institution of higher education that is located in or near
areas that are not classified as urban by the Census Bureau.
(17) Rural-serving institution of higher education.--The
term ``rural-serving institution of higher education'' means
an institution of higher education that--
(A) primarily serves areas that are not classified as urban
by the Census Bureau; and
(B) offers degrees that are unique and helpful to rural
regions that are not classified as urban by the Census
Bureau.
(18) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics, including computer science.
(19) Tribal college or university.--The term ``Tribal
College or University'' has the meaning given the term in
section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059c(b)).
SEC. 1099B. UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE EDUCATION.
(a) Scholarships Related to AI or Quantum Hybrid
Computing.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall award merit- or need-
based scholarships to undergraduate students at institutions
of higher education in order to enable such students to
study--
(A) the development, deployment, integration, or
application of artificial intelligence; or
(B) quantum hybrid computing.
(2) Scholarships.--Scholarships awarded under paragraph (1)
shall be in the form of annual grant awards for a 4-year
period in amounts that cover the cost of tuition, education-
related fees, and a stipend. Such scholarships shall be paid
directly to the institution of higher education in which the
student is enrolled.
(b) Scholarships Related to AI and Agriculture.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall award merit- or need-
based scholarships to undergraduate students at institutions
of higher education in order to enable such students to
study--
(A) artificial intelligence and agriculture; or
(B) the integration of artificial intelligence into
agricultural operations, prediction, and decisionmaking.
(2) Priority.--In awarding scholarships under this
subsection, the Director shall give preference to students
who are attending rural-located institutions of higher
education, rural-serving institutions of higher education, or
Tribal Colleges or Universities.
(3) Scholarships.--Scholarships awarded under paragraph (1)
shall be in the form of annual grant awards for a 4-year
period in amounts that cover the cost of tuition, education-
related fees, and a stipend. Such scholarships shall be paid
directly to the institution of higher education in which the
student is enrolled.
(c) Scholarships Related to AI and Education.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall award merit- or need-
based scholarships to undergraduate students at institutions
of higher education in order to enable such students to study
the teaching of artificial intelligence and artificial
intelligence skills at elementary schools, secondary schools,
career and technical education schools, institutions of
higher education, or through other higher education and
professional education programs.
(2) Scholarships.--Scholarships awarded under paragraph (1)
shall be in the form of annual grant awards for a 4-year
period that cover the cost of tuition, education-related
fees, and a stipend. Such scholarships shall be paid directly
to the institution of higher education in which the student
is enrolled.
(d) Scholarships Related to AI and Advanced
Manufacturing.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall award merit- or need-
based scholarships to undergraduate students at institutions
of higher education in order to enable such students to
study--
(A) artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing; or
(B) the integration of artificial intelligence into
advanced manufacturing operations.
(2) Scholarships.--Scholarships awarded under paragraph (1)
shall be in the form of annual grant awards for a 4-year
period that cover the cost of tuition, education-related
fees, and a stipend. Such scholarships shall be paid directly
to the institution of higher education in which the student
is enrolled.
(e) Method.--The Director may carry out this section by
making awards through new or existing programs.
SEC. 1099C. GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EDUCATION.
(a) Graduate Scholarships Related to AI or Quantum Hybrid
Computing.--The Director shall award merit- or need-based
scholarships to graduate students at institutions of higher
education in order to enable such students to study--
(1) the development, deployment, integration, or
application of artificial intelligence; or
(2) quantum hybrid computing.
(b) Scholarships Related to AI and Agriculture.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall award merit- or need-
based scholarships to graduate students at institutions of
higher education in order to enable such students to study--
(A) artificial intelligence and agriculture; or
(B) the integration of artificial intelligence into
agricultural operations, prediction, and decisionmaking.
(2) Priority.--In awarding scholarships under this
subsection, the Director shall give preference to students
who are attending rural-located institutions of higher
education, rural-serving institutions of higher education, or
Tribal Colleges or Universities.
(c) Graduate Scholarships Related to AI and Education.--The
Director shall award merit- or need-based scholarships to
graduate students at institutions of higher education in
order to enable such students to study the teaching of
artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence skills at
elementary schools, secondary schools, career and technical
education schools, institutions of higher education, or
through other higher education and professional education
programs.
(d) Graduate Scholarships Related to AI and Advanced
Manufacturing.--The Director shall award merit- or need-based
scholarships to graduate students at institutions of higher
education in order to enable such students to study--
(1) artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing; or
(2) the integration of artificial intelligence into
advanced manufacturing operations.
(e) Scholarships.--Scholarships awarded under this section
shall be in the form of annual grant awards for a 3-year
period that cover the cost of tuition, education-related
fees, and a stipend. Such scholarships shall be paid directly
to the institution of higher education in which the student
is enrolled.
(f) Method.--The Director may carry out this section by
making awards through new or existing programs.
SEC. 1099D. NSF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT FELLOWSHIPS.
(a) In General.--The Director shall establish a program to
promote the exchange of ideas and encourage collaborations
between institutions of higher education and industry
partners in the fields of artificial intelligence and key
emerging technologies, including through fellowships for
students and industry professionals.
(b) Fellowships.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall award merit-based
fellowships for professionals for professional development
programs in STEM fields or the field of education that are
administered by or affiliated with institutions of higher
education, in order to enable fellowship recipients to attain
skills or training on--
(A) the development, deployment, integration, or
application of artificial intelligence;
(B) prompt engineering; or
(C) quantum hybrid computing.
(2) Fellowship awards.--Awards under this subsection shall
be in the form of one annual award that covers the cost of
tuition, education-related fees, and a stipend. Such awards
shall be paid directly to the institution of higher education
that administers, or that is affiliated with, the program in
which the fellowship recipient is participating.
SEC. 1099E. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING FOR LAND-GRANT
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting
through the Director of the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture, in collaboration with the Director of the
National Science Foundation, shall award grants to land-grant
colleges and universities (as defined in section 1404 of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) for artificial
intelligence in agriculture.
(b) Use of Funds.--A grant awarded under this section may
be used for--
(1) research and development on the use of artificial
intelligence in agriculture or the integration of artificial
intelligence into agricultural operations, predictions, and
decision making;
(2) the dissemination of educational resources for
artificial intelligence in rural areas; and
(3) artificial intelligence tools for agriculture.
SEC. 1099F. QUANTUM FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS.
(a) In General.--The Director may establish or use existing
programs to support fellowships and scholarships for students
at institutions of higher education for the purpose of--
(1) increasing quantum information science, engineering,
and technology exposure for undergraduate and graduate STEM
students; and
(2) increasing post-graduation employment opportunities for
STEM students who demonstrate potential to pursue careers in
quantum information science, engineering, and
[[Page S5365]]
technology, or fields that support the quantum industry.
(b) Requirements.--Eligible participants in the fellowship
and scholarship program shall--
(1) be enrolled in or have graduated from a STEM degree
program at a domestic institution of higher education; and
(2) have taken at least one quantum-science or quantum-
relevant course as part of their degree programs.
(c) Considerations.--Eligible fellowships and scholarships
may include temporary quantum-related positions at State or
Federal agencies, National Laboratories, private sector
entities, institutions of higher education, or other quantum-
relevant entities, as determined appropriate by the Director.
(d) Competitive Awards.--Fellowships and scholarships shall
be competitively awarded through a merit-review process. The
Director may prioritize fellowships that include an industry
partner that provides financial assistance to the applicant
for direct or indirect costs.
SEC. 1099G. NSF OUTREACH CAMPAIGN.
(a) In General.--The Director shall carry out a nationwide
outreach campaign to students at elementary schools,
secondary schools, career and technical education schools,
institutions of higher education, or through other higher
education and professional education programs to increase
awareness about AI or quantum education opportunities at the
National Science Foundation.
(b) Priority.--In carrying out such campaign, the Director
shall prioritize outreach to underserved and rural areas.
SEC. 1099H. COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOL CENTERS
OF AI EXCELLENCE.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Area career and technical education school.--The term
``area career and technical education school'' has the
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins
Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
(2) Eligible applicant.--The term ``eligible applicant''
means a community college, vocational school, or area career
and technical education school, in partnership with 1 or more
of the following:
(A) A Federal, State, local, or Tribal government entity.
(B) An institution of higher education.
(C) An entity in private industry.
(D) An economic development organization or venture
development organization.
(E) A labor organization.
(F) A nonprofit organization.
(3) Venture development organization.--The term ``venture
development organization'' has the meaning given the term in
section 27(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C.
3722(a)).
(4) Vocational school.--The term ``vocational school'' has
the meaning given the term ``postsecondary vocational
institution'' in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c)).
(b) Establishment of Centers of AI Excellence.--The
Director, in coordination with the Regional Technology Hubs
program at the Department of Commerce and the Regional
Innovation Engines program at the National Science
Foundation, shall choose not less than 5 regionally and
geographically diverse eligible applicants to be designated
as Community College and Vocational School Centers of AI
Excellence (referred to in this section as ``Centers of AI
Excellence'').
(c) EPSCoR State Participation.--Not less than 20 percent
of designated Community College and Vocational School Centers
of AI Excellence shall be eligible applicants that are
located in a State jurisdiction eligible to participate in
the National Science Foundation's Established Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research under section 113 of the
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42
U.S.C. 1862g).
(d) Application.--An eligible applicant that desires to be
designated as a Center of AI Excellence shall submit an
application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Director may reasonably
require. Such application shall specify a focus area for the
Center of AI Excellence, which may be any of the following:
(1) AI education and training related to agriculture.
(2) AI education and training related to manufacturing.
(3) AI education.
(4) AI education and training related to another focus area
as specified by the eligible applicant.
(e) Activities.--A designated Center of AI Excellence shall
develop and disseminate information about best practices
for--
(1) artificial intelligence research and education at
community colleges and area career and technical education
schools;
(2) methods to scale up successful programs that perform
research or provide education on artificial intelligence at
community colleges and area career and technical education
schools;
(3) providing hands-on research opportunities on artificial
intelligence and learning opportunities for students that are
enabled through artificial intelligence; and
(4) identifying pathways for students to jobs that are
enabled by artificial intelligence.
SEC. 1099I. AWARD PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH ON AI IN EDUCATION.
(a) Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term ``eligible
entity'' means--
(1) an institution of higher education;
(2) a nonprofit organization; or
(3) a consortium of 1 or more institution of higher
education or a nonprofit organization and 1 or more private
entities.
(b) Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall make awards, on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to eligible entities, to
enable the eligible entities to promote research on teaching
models, tools, and materials for artificial intelligence and
integration with other key emerging technologies, such as
quantum information science and technologies and photonics,
with a focus on teaching and learning for kindergarten
through grade 12 students who are from low-income, rural, or
Tribal populations.
(2) Method.--The Director may carry out this section by
making awards through new or existing programs.
(c) Application.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity that desires to receive
an award under this section shall submit an application to
the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Director may require.
(2) Contents.--An application described in paragraph (1)
shall include--
(A) a description of the student demographics on which the
research supported under the award intends to focus;
(B) a description of any regional partnerships the eligible
entity plans to utilize to carry out the award;
(C) with respect to an application that concerns the use or
integration of artificial intelligence, a description of
potential ethical concerns and implications of teacher and
student interactions with artificial intelligence systems;
(D) a description of how the research on teaching models,
tools, and materials were developed in consultation with
other educators, academia, industry, and civil society
organizations; and
(E) such other information as the Director may require.
(d) Use of Award Funds.--An eligible entity that receives
an award under this section shall carry out a program
described in subsection (b)(1) that--
(1) emphasizes preparing incoming teachers to integrate
artificial intelligence, key emerging technologies, and
computational thinking into their classrooms in innovative
ways; and
(2) supports research to develop, pilot, fully implement,
or test areas, such as--
(A) instructional materials and high-quality learning
opportunities for teaching artificial intelligence and key
emerging technologies;
(B) models for the preparation of new teachers who will
teach artificial intelligence and key emerging technologies;
(C) scalable models of professional development and ongoing
support for teachers; and
(D) tools and models for teaching and learning aimed at
supporting student success and inclusion in artificial
intelligence and key emerging technologies across diverse
populations, including low-income, rural, and Tribal
populations.
SEC. 1099J. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AWARDS FOR ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE RESOURCES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) an elementary school or secondary school, as defined in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 8101);
(B) an institution of higher education, including--
(i) an emerging research institution;
(ii) an EPSCoR institution;
(iii) a minority-serving institution;
(iv) a historically Black college or university;
(v) a Tribal College or University; or
(vi) a community college; or
(C) a technical and vocational school.
(2) Technical and vocational school.--The term ``technical
and vocational school'' has the meaning given the term ``area
career and technical school'' in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
2302).
(b) Awards Authorized.--The Director shall make awards to
eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to provide
or increase access to artificial intelligence tools and
applications to the students and researchers served by the
eligible entities.
(c) Preference.--In making awards under subsection (b), the
Director shall give preference to eligible entities that--
(1) expand the geographic diversity of funded entities; or
(2) are emerging research institutions, EPSCoR
institutions, minority-serving institutions, historically
Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges or
Universities, community colleges, or technical and vocational
schools.
SEC. 1099K. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION NATIONAL STEM
TEACHERS CORPS.
Section 10311(c)(6) of the Research and Development,
Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18991(c)(6)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) incorporating artificial intelligence skills
development into the priorities of the
[[Page S5366]]
National STEM Teacher Corps, including prioritizing the
development of artificial intelligence best practices for
high school teachers, created in consultation with other
educators and academia.''.
SEC. 1099L. GUIDANCE FOR THE INTRODUCTION AND USE OF
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN PREKINDERGARTEN
THROUGH GRADE 12.
(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this subtitle, the Director, in coordination
with the Secretary of Education, the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Director of
the Office of Science and Technology Policy, shall develop
and make publicly available guidance for the introduction and
use of artificial intelligence in prekindergarten through
grade 12 classrooms.
(b) Considerations.--The guidance required under subsection
(a) shall include--
(1) considerations for--
(A) the use of artificial intelligence in prekindergarten
through grade 12 classrooms in rural areas and economically
distressed areas; and
(B) the differing applications of artificial intelligence
in STEM and the liberal arts; and
(2) a description of how the guidance was developed in
consultation with educators, academia, industry, and civil
society organizations.
SEC. 1099M. NSF GRAND CHALLENGES RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
(a) Grand Challenge.--The term ``grand challenge'' means a
prize competition under section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler
Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719).
(b) In General.--The Director, in coordination with the
Secretaries of Labor and Education, shall support grand
challenges to stimulate innovation regarding--
(1) how to train 1,000,000 or more workers, including
educators, technical and vocational workers, and
professionals, in the United States by 2028 in areas related
to the creation, deployment, or use of artificial
intelligence, such as foundational knowledge, critical
thinking, programming skills, machine learning, or deep
learning;
(2) how to overcome barriers in the development of the
artificial intelligence education and training;
(3) methods and strategies for creating artificial
intelligence education and training that does not displace
workers, including teachers, in the workforce;
(4) ways to increase the number of women who receive
artificial intelligence education and training; and
(5) how to ensure rural areas of the United States are able
to benefit from artificial intelligence education and
training.
SEC. 1099N. GIFT AUTHORITY.
In carrying out this subtitle, the Director may receive and
use funds donated by others, including receipt and use of
donations from private entities to fund scholarships and
fellowships authorized under this subtitle.
______