Expanding AI Voices Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7158

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-20: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Last Updated

2026-05-27T08:06:17Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Expanding AI Voices Act aims to promote a diverse and inclusive research community in artificial intelligence (AI) by funding partnerships and capacity-building efforts at institutions of higher education and nonprofits that serve populations historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It seeks to expand U.S. AI research, education, and workforce development, particularly among underserved groups, to foster innovation.

Key Provisions

• Awards Program: The Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), in consultation with relevant federal agencies, must provide competitive, merit-based grants to eligible institutions and nonprofit organizations (or their consortia) to enhance AI participation and capacity.
• Eligible Recipients:
• Institutions of higher education not ranked in the top 100 for federal research and development (R&D) spending over the prior three years (based on National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics data).
• Historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs).
• Minority-serving institutions (e.g., Hispanic-serving, Alaska Native-serving, Native Hawaiian-serving, predominantly Black, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving, or Native American-serving nontribal institutions).
• Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs).
• Consortia of the above entities.
• Collaborations Encouraged: Award recipients can partner with universities, nonprofits, federal/state/local/Tribal/territorial governments, private sector entities, and NSF-funded AI research institutes.
• Authorized Uses of Funds:
• Developing or expanding AI research programs and related fields.
• Recruiting and training faculty in AI.
• Creating bridge programs to prepare post-bachelor's students for AI graduate studies.
• Providing access to AI research resources like computing power, data, and software support.
• Building communities through public-private collaborations with agencies, industry, labs, academia, and nonprofits.
• Hosting workshops to increase workforce diversity in AI.
• Integrating ethical AI practices into education.
• Other efforts to build AI research, education, and career pathways.
• Outreach and Considerations:
• NSF must conduct outreach to eligible entities and prioritize applicants from all U.S. regions, especially underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Awards must complement, not duplicate, existing NSF programs.
• Selection factors include support for diverse students (e.g., first-generation undergraduates), geographic diversity, and resource limitations of applicants.
• Definitions: The bill defines key terms like HBCU, minority-serving institution, nonprofit organization (501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities), and TCU, referencing the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Section 5401 of the National AI Initiative Act (part of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act) by adding a new subsection (g) on "Expanding Capacity in Artificial Intelligence." It redesignates the existing subsection (g) as (h) and inserts the new provisions to explicitly target underrepresented institutions for AI funding, which were not previously specified in this way within the Act.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The NSF will gain new responsibilities for administering AI-focused grants, requiring coordination with other agencies and ensuring non-duplicative funding, potentially increasing its workload and budget needs.
• Citizens: Underrepresented groups in STEM (e.g., racial minorities, first-generation students, rural or underserved communities) may gain better access to AI education, research opportunities, and careers, promoting broader societal participation in AI innovation.
• International Relations: By strengthening U.S. AI research capacity through diversity, the bill could enhance America's global competitiveness in AI technology, indirectly supporting national security and economic leadership without direct international provisions.
• Higher Education and Nonprofits: Eligible institutions, often under-resourced, will receive support to build AI infrastructure, potentially reducing disparities in research capabilities across U.S. academia.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Primary Beneficiaries: Underrepresented institutions (HBCUs, MSIs, TCUs, lower-tier R&D universities) and 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including their students, faculty, and staff.
• Government Entities: NSF (lead implementer), other federal agencies for consultation, and state/local/Tribal governments as potential partners.
• Other Groups: Private sector (industry collaborators), AI research institutes, underserved communities, and the broader STEM workforce seeking diverse talent pipelines.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill builds on existing federal education and research laws (e.g., Higher Education Act) without introducing new regulatory burdens; it emphasizes merit-based awards to ensure fairness and compliance with anti-duplication rules.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it aligns with Congress's spending power to promote education and innovation, potentially advancing equal protection by addressing historical inequities in STEM access.
• Political: Highlights a focus on equity and inclusion in emerging technologies like AI, which could influence debates on diversity initiatives in federal funding, though it remains neutral on partisan issues by tying support to merit and capacity-building.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-20: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
• 2026-01-20: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-20: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Expanding AI Voices through Capacity Building Act — issued 2026-01-20 — PDF (8 pages)