Bill Would Fund AI Education Across the Country

Adam Thierer, senior fellow at the R Street Institute, a think tank in Washington, D.C., noted that AI, which “was barely on Washington’s radar screen a year ago, … has quickly become one of the hottest tech policy issues in Congress. A considerable amount of legislative activity is now underway, with lawmakers and committees jockeying for position in an effort to advance wide-ranging AI policy frameworks.”

Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., for example, announced a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI in August 2023 that includes a new AI-specific oversight body, a licensing regime for AI companies and expanded AI developer liability. Meanwhile, “in the states, there has been a 440 percent increase in the number of AI-related bills introduced in 2022, with 191 AI-related bills already introduced this year,” Thierer said.

“AI education and literacy is an issue where targeted legislation could have a better chance of advancing,” he added. “The Artificial Intelligence Literacy Act … is a measure that should enjoy widespread support, except that lawmakers appear more focused on regulatory proposals.”