Workforce for AI Trust Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9334
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-25: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 35 - 0.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-08T08:05:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation amends the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 to support the development of multidisciplinary teams focused on creating safe and trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) systems. It emphasizes workforce education, training, and governance to advance AI that prioritizes security, safety, reliability, and ethical considerations.
Key Provisions
- Fellowships and Training (NSF Amendments): Establishes interdisciplinary AI fellowships for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from fields including social sciences and humanities. Awards cover tuition, stipends, salaries, and related costs for up to three years. Requires participants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents committed to trustworthy AI research.
- Workshops and Skills Development: Authorizes funding for intra- or inter-institutional workshops to build multidisciplinary teams. Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to integrate AI training across STEM fields through existing programs and experiential learning.
- Peer Review Panels: Requires NSF merit review panels for AI proposals to include experts from social sciences, technology ethics, legal, and linguistic disciplines.
- NIST Workforce Framework: Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop and update an AI workforce framework, including a common lexicon, task descriptions, and guidelines for education and training. This framework must align with existing models like cybersecurity workforce standards.
- Federal Workforce Support: Provides technical assistance to address AI workforce gaps in federal agencies, including alignment with scholarship programs and personnel management activities.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill expands the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 by adding a new definition for "National Laboratory" and introducing dedicated provisions for interdisciplinary fellowships, workshops, and peer review. It also amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to grant NIST explicit authority for workforce frameworks in critical technologies and adds a new section (5304) mandating an AI-specific workforce framework with stakeholder input requirements.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for NSF and NIST in AI education and workforce planning; may require coordination with the Office of Personnel Management and other agencies to fill AI governance roles.
- Citizens and Workforce: Aims to expand opportunities in AI-related careers by supporting training for diverse disciplines and addressing skill gaps in public and private sectors.
- International Relations: No direct provisions; however, improved domestic AI workforce capabilities could indirectly strengthen U.S. competitiveness in global AI standards and development.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies (NSF, NIST, Office of Personnel Management).
- Institutions of higher education and National Laboratories.
- Industry, nonprofit organizations, and labor organizations.
- Students, postdoctoral researchers, and professionals in AI, social sciences, ethics, and related fields.
- State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill operates within existing federal research and standards authorities without creating new regulatory mandates. It promotes inclusive, multidisciplinary approaches to AI development but does not address constitutional issues such as privacy or free speech. Implementation relies on appropriations and interagency collaboration, potentially influencing future funding priorities for AI initiatives.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-25: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 35 - 0.
- 2026-06-25: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-06-18: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2026-06-18: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Workforce for AI Trust Act — issued 2026-06-18 — PDF (17 pages)