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A BILL
To improve educational efforts related to artificial intelligence
literacy at the K through 12 level, and for other purposes.
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 ``Literacy in Future Technologies
Artificial Intelligence Act'' or the ``LIFT AI Act''.
SEC. 2. 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 Americans 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 American AI innovators;
(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;
enacted as part of title LVI of division E of the William M.
(Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283)).
(3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the National Science Foundation.
(4) 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)).