Legislation Introduced to Integrate AI in Classrooms, Prepare American Students
In an effort to prepare K-12 students for a future shaped by artificial intelligence, the Recommending Artificial Intelligence Standards in Education (RAISE) Act has been introduced with the goal of supporting states in developing AI-focused academic standards. The legislation is intended to help teachers equip students with the skills they need for the modern workforce, while ensuring they learn to use emerging technologies responsibly. Supporters say this preparation is key to maintaining America’s economic competitiveness and ensuring the next generation is ready to lead. U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (Delaware) and Jon Husted of Ohio introduced the bill yesterday, with Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana –chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee– as an original cosponsor. All three lawmakers serve on the Senate HELP Committee.
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AI and technology literacy are essential to maintaining America’s economic competitiveness in the face of global adversaries like China. Today’s students will be tomorrow’s leaders, and we must make sure they have the academic foundation they need to succeed in a changing world.
“As Delaware’s former Secretary of Labor and the Ranking Member of the Education and the American Family Subcommittee, I have long been dedicated to ensuring our students leave the classroom with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in our changing economy,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “It is clear that understanding AI will be imperative to that success. This important piece of legislation will empower states to develop academic standards on AI and prepare our leaders of tomorrow to meet the moment. I am grateful for Senator Husted’s partnership and look forward to getting this bill passed. The bipartisan coalition of Senators already on board shows just how serious we are about getting this done on behalf of our future generations.”
“America must master AI to guarantee our future security and economic leadership,” said Senator Husted. “That means American students have to win the race to AI readiness. The RAISE Act would encourage AI competency among our students to make sure the Land of the Free dominates the AI landscape for generations. Neither our economy nor our national defense can outpace adversaries like Communist China without that dominance.”
“AI has the power to help students learn and reach their full potential, but they must be taught to use it responsibly,” said Senator Cassidy. “This bill gives states the authority to develop their own AI curriculum, ensuring students can safely harness this technology to succeed and be better prepared for today’s workforce.”
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is the federal K-12 education law in the United States. The law requires states to set learning standards for core subjects, including math, reading, and science, and gives states the ability to set standards for other subjects. This legislation from Blunt Rochester and Husted would encourage the creation of standards for artificial intelligence and promote AI and STEM-ready students.
Full text of the bill is available here.