No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4394 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4394
To support National Science Foundation education and professional
development relating to artificial intelligence.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 22, 2024
Ms. Cantwell (for herself and Mr. Moran) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To support National Science Foundation education and professional
development relating to artificial intelligence.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``NSF AI Education Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(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).
(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. 3. 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 decision
making.
(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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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 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. 8. 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. 9. 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. 10. 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. 11. 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. 12. 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 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. 13. 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 Act, 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. 14. 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. 15. GIFT AUTHORITY.
In carrying out this Act, 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
Act.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 486.
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