[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

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     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

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     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.
                                 ______