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[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.
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