Reps. Blunt Rochester & Bucshon Introduce Bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Literacy Bill
Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.) introduced the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy Act on December 15, 2023. The bill would codify AI literacy as a key component of digital literacy and create opportunities to incorporate AI literacy into existing programs.
The adoption of AI has more than doubled since 2017, and the average number of AI capabilities that organizations use doubled between 2018 and 2022. Americans of every age, in every district, and from every background will be impacted by AI, and therefore need AI literacy — an understanding of basic AI principles and applications, the skills to recognize when AI is employed, and awareness of its limits.
“It’s no secret that the use of artificial intelligence has skyrocketed over the past few years, playing a key role in the ways we learn, work, and interact with one another. Like any emerging technology, AI presents us with incredible opportunities along with unique challenges,” said Blunt Rochester. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan AI Literacy Act with my colleague, Rep. Bucshon. By ensuring that AI literacy is at the heart of our digital literacy program, we’re ensuring that we can not only mitigate the risk of AI but seize the opportunity it creates to help improve the way we learn and the way we work.”
“As we navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence in the 21st century, we must continue to increase our literacy in order to foster an informed public,” said Dr. Bucshon. “I am proud to join Rep. Blunt Rochester in the introduction of the AI Literacy Act to help Americans build a foundational knowledge of the principles and applications of artificial intelligence. America must be ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow and this legislation is a positive step in ensuring the U.S. can lead and thrive in the digital age.”
The AI Literacy Act is supported by a broad range of stakeholders including AIandYou, AI4All, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Association of Science and Technology Centers, Battelle, Black In AI, Code.org, Delaware State University, ETS, Fidutam, Goodwill Industries International, Inc., Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), Intel, Jobs for the Future (JFF), National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), National Digital Inclusion Alliance, National Skills Coalition, SHRM, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), STEM Education Coalition, STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice, STEMx, Tech Council of Delaware, Tech Impact, The AI Education Project, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, TIES – Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM, University of Delaware.
The AI Literacy Act would do the following:
- Amend the Digital Equity Act and codify AI literacy as a component of digital literacy.
- Define AI literacy as the skills associated with comprehending the basic principles, concepts, and applications of artificial intelligence, as well as the implications, limitations, and ethical considerations associated with artificial intelligence.
- Highlight the importance of AI literacy for national competitiveness, workforce preparedness, and the well-being and digital safety of Americans.
- Ensure the eligibility of efforts to increase AI literacy in public elementary and secondary schools, in community colleges, in institutions of higher education, and by community institutions like nonprofits and libraries through the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program.
- Require annual reports to Congress.
Read the one-pager of the bill or the full text of the bill.
Tags: federal issues, technology
