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Federal Support for AI in Education: Insights from a New House Report
As the U.S. seeks to maintain its leadership in AI innovation, the House AI Task Force's recommendations underscore the urgency of investing in education.
Date of writing
December 21, 2024
Time of reading
2 minutes
A comprehensive report from the bipartisan House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence calls for increased federal support to prepare U.S. schools and students for the age of artificial intelligence (AI), according to government technology. Released this week, the 253-page document highlights the need for teacher training, AI literacy lessons, streamlined AI tool procurement, and enhanced STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education across K-12 schools nationwide.
The report emphasizes that U.S. math and science scores lag behind those of other developed countries, and a lack of basic STEM skills persists among students. Compounding this issue, 40% of public high schools in the U.S. do not offer computer science classes. According to Pat Yongpradit, Chief Academic Officer of Code.org and leader of the TeachAI initiative, this lack of access is a significant barrier to AI proficiency.
“There are lots of kids in schools that might want to learn computer science that can’t because it’s just not on the menu,” Yongpradit testified before the task force. “Let’s start with that access and participation, and maybe then we can start worrying about whether kids are really learning what they need to learn in an age of AI.”
The task force defines AI literacy as the ability to understand how AI works, use it responsibly, and be aware of its social and ethical implications. Their recommendations include federal funding for teacher development programs focused on AI and STEM, with a particular emphasis on providing equitable access to rural and underserved schools.
The goal, according to the report, is to prepare students with the skills necessary to research, develop, and deploy AI applications effectively. This foundational AI literacy could open pathways to advanced AI work in higher education and the workforce.
The education section of the report was informed by contributions from Erin Mote, CEO of InnovateEDU and leader of the EDSAFE AI Alliance, among other experts. Mote highlighted the importance of aligning policy with real-world educational practices.
“If we want to continue to be the most innovative country in the world, we need to invest not just in the technology and the infrastructure, but we need to invest in our workforce and in our education system,” Mote stated. She expressed optimism that the recommendations would garner bipartisan support, creating “uncommon alliances” to advance AI literacy in education.
As the U.S. seeks to maintain its leadership in AI innovation, the House AI Task Force's recommendations underscore the urgency of investing in education. By focusing on teacher training, curriculum development, and STEM accessibility, Congress has the opportunity to ensure the nation’s students are prepared to meet the demands of an AI-driven future.
The report emphasizes that U.S. math and science scores lag behind those of other developed countries, and a lack of basic STEM skills persists among students. Compounding this issue, 40% of public high schools in the U.S. do not offer computer science classes. According to Pat Yongpradit, Chief Academic Officer of Code.org and leader of the TeachAI initiative, this lack of access is a significant barrier to AI proficiency.
“There are lots of kids in schools that might want to learn computer science that can’t because it’s just not on the menu,” Yongpradit testified before the task force. “Let’s start with that access and participation, and maybe then we can start worrying about whether kids are really learning what they need to learn in an age of AI.”
The task force defines AI literacy as the ability to understand how AI works, use it responsibly, and be aware of its social and ethical implications. Their recommendations include federal funding for teacher development programs focused on AI and STEM, with a particular emphasis on providing equitable access to rural and underserved schools.
The goal, according to the report, is to prepare students with the skills necessary to research, develop, and deploy AI applications effectively. This foundational AI literacy could open pathways to advanced AI work in higher education and the workforce.
The education section of the report was informed by contributions from Erin Mote, CEO of InnovateEDU and leader of the EDSAFE AI Alliance, among other experts. Mote highlighted the importance of aligning policy with real-world educational practices.
“If we want to continue to be the most innovative country in the world, we need to invest not just in the technology and the infrastructure, but we need to invest in our workforce and in our education system,” Mote stated. She expressed optimism that the recommendations would garner bipartisan support, creating “uncommon alliances” to advance AI literacy in education.
As the U.S. seeks to maintain its leadership in AI innovation, the House AI Task Force's recommendations underscore the urgency of investing in education. By focusing on teacher training, curriculum development, and STEM accessibility, Congress has the opportunity to ensure the nation’s students are prepared to meet the demands of an AI-driven future.