Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Inclusion Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3210
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-06: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Small Business, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-27T08:05:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Inclusion Act (H.R. 3210) aims to promote public understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) by directing the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund local education programs. It emphasizes AI literacy—defined as the ability to understand, evaluate, and use AI technologies, including their basics, functions, and societal effects—to ensure equitable access, especially for underserved groups. The bill also requires federal agencies to report on integrating AI literacy into their work to boost U.S. workforce skills, business competitiveness, and national security.
Key Provisions
- NSF Awards for AI Literacy Programs:
- The NSF Director may grant funds to nonprofits, schools, or partnerships of such groups to create and run community-based AI education initiatives delivered by trusted local sources.
- Funds can support:
- Creating teaching materials on AI fundamentals, real-world uses, ethical issues (e.g., aligning AI with human values and societal impacts), and broader effects on society.
- Delivering training to underserved groups, prioritizing communities of color, low-income areas, rural regions, seniors, people with disabilities, and other marginalized populations.
- Outreach efforts to build awareness and encourage participation.
- Evaluations of program success, with sharing of best practices across organizations.
- Awards prioritize applicants showing dedication to underserved communities (including seniors), prior success in local tech education, and creative, expandable methods.
- Award recipients must submit yearly reports to NSF detailing program descriptions, participant numbers and demographics, and effects on AI knowledge.
- Interagency Coordination and Reporting:
- Within one year of enactment, leaders of the Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Education, plus the Small Business Administration (SBA), must submit reports to Congress on advancing AI literacy in their domains.
- Labor: Integrate AI into job training to prepare workers for future roles and support U.S. AI leadership for competitiveness and security.
- Commerce: Boost U.S. businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones, in the global AI market to maintain economic and security edges.
- SBA: Aid small business owners and entrepreneurs, focusing on underserved areas, for AI-driven growth and national security.
- Education: Add AI to K-12 and college curricula to ensure all students gain AI skills, enhancing U.S. competitiveness and security.
- Reports must identify current agency grants that could be adjusted to fund AI literacy, suggest modifications (e.g., for workforce, business, or education), provide examples, and estimate impacts.
- Agencies must consult educators, industry experts, community groups, and AI specialists.
- Reports will be posted publicly on agency websites.
- Definitions:
- AI: Engineered systems producing outputs like content, predictions, or decisions based on human goals, affecting people or environments.
- AI Literacy: Understanding AI basics, capabilities, operations, and societal influences.
- Ethical AI: Designing and using AI to match ethical standards and human values, mindful of social consequences.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new mandates without directly amending prior laws. It adds specific funding and reporting requirements for NSF and other agencies, expanding their roles in AI education beyond existing general science or workforce programs. No repeals or overrides of current statutes are specified.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: NSF gains authority (and potential budget needs) for new grants; Labor, Commerce, Education, and SBA face added reporting duties and may redirect existing funds toward AI literacy, potentially streamlining programs but increasing administrative workload.
- Citizens: Underserved communities could gain better access to free or low-cost AI education, fostering skills for jobs and daily life, while reducing digital divides. Broader public awareness may encourage ethical AI use and mitigate risks like bias or misinformation.
- International Relations: By emphasizing U.S. AI competitiveness and national security, the bill could indirectly strengthen America's global tech standing, aiding diplomacy in AI standards and countering rivals' advancements, though it focuses domestically.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: NSF (primary funder), Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Education, and SBA (reporting and program adjustments).
- Educational and Community Groups: Nonprofits, schools, and local consortia developing and delivering programs, especially those serving marginalized populations.
- Underserved Populations: Communities of color, low-income and rural residents, seniors, people with disabilities, workers, students, and small business owners benefiting from targeted education.
- Businesses and Industry: Small and medium enterprises gaining AI knowledge for competitiveness; AI experts and companies consulted in planning.
- General Public: All Americans through raised AI awareness and shared best practices.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill uses permissive language ("may" for NSF awards), giving flexibility without mandating spending, which avoids strict enforcement issues. Definitions clarify terms to prevent disputes in implementation. No new regulations on AI development itself, focusing instead on education.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I) to fund science and education; promotes equal protection by prioritizing underserved groups without creating suspect classifications.
- Political: Bipartisan potential in supporting innovation and equity, but introduced by Democrats, it highlights themes of inclusion and national security. Could spark debates on federal overreach in education or funding priorities amid budget constraints, though it emphasizes voluntary adaptations of existing programs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-06: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Small Business, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-06: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Small Business, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-06: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Small Business, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-06: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Small Business, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-06: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Inclusion Act — issued 2025-05-06 — PDF (7 pages)