LIFT AI Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4414
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-28: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-08T04:23:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
LIFT AI Act (S. 4414)
Purpose
The legislation aims to boost artificial intelligence (AI) literacy among K-12 students and educators (K-12 refers to kindergarten through 12th grade). It seeks to prepare the U.S. workforce and innovators for an AI-driven future by funding educational resources, ensuring U.S. leadership amid global competition, and promoting responsible AI use.
Key Provisions
- Sense of Congress: Declares AI's transformative role, the need for early AI education to build skills, U.S. policy to integrate AI into schools, and the importance of countering adversaries' AI advances (e.g., surveillance, weapons).
- Awards Program: The Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) can provide competitive, merit-based grants to universities, nonprofits, or consortia for:
- Developing K-12 curricula, materials, and hands-on tools focused on AI literacy (defined as age-appropriate knowledge to use AI effectively, interpret outputs, solve problems, and manage risks).
- Professional development (training) for teachers, principals, and school leaders on AI literacy, responsible use, and best practices.
- Creating evaluation tools to measure AI proficiency.
- Integrating AI into existing curricula via in-person, virtual, or online methods.
- Awards prioritize evolving AI skills relevant across student grade levels.
- Implementation through NSF's existing or new programs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new NSF grant program specifically for K-12 AI literacy; no direct amendments to prior laws.
- References definitions from the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (for "AI") and other education statutes.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: NSF gains authority and funding flexibility to administer grants, potentially increasing its role in education-tech initiatives.
- Citizens: K-12 students gain early AI exposure, skills for future jobs, and risk awareness; educators receive training to teach AI responsibly.
- International Relations: Strengthens U.S. competitiveness against "strategic adversaries" by building an AI-literate population, supporting innovation and economic/security edges.
Main Stakeholders
- K-12 Students and Educators: Primary beneficiaries of curricula, tools, and training.
- Schools and Agencies: State/local education departments, superintendents, principals.
- Grant Recipients: Universities and nonprofits developing materials.
- NSF: Oversees awards and implementation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on NSF's existing authority; merit-reviewed grants ensure fairness and expertise focus. No mandates on schools—voluntary integration.
- Constitutional: Aligns with federal spending power for education/science; promotes general welfare via workforce preparation.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Sens. Schiff and Rounds); emphasizes national security and innovation without controversy. Early-stage bill (introduced April 28, 2026; referred to committee).
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
- 2026-04-28: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2026-04-28: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Literacy in Future Technologies Artificial Intelligence Act — issued 2026-04-28 — PDF (6 pages)