Today, the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee passed the bipartisan National Science Foundation AI Education Act, to expand AI educational opportunities across all levels, and the bipartisan Small Business Artificial Intelligence Training Act, to help small businesses leverage AI in their operations. Both bills were introduced by U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee, and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a senior member of the Committee.  

“Seattle has one of the nation’s highest growth rates for AI jobs and demand for AI expertise is already high and will continue to grow,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Our National Science Foundation Artificial Intelligence Education Act will open doors to AI for students at all levels, and upskill our workforce to drive American tech innovation, entrepreneurship and progress in solving the toughest global challenges. Our Small Business AI Training Act will also help upskill small businesses so they can use AI to improve access to capital, draft business plans and take advantage of new export and government contracting opportunities.”

“Artificial intelligence is continuing to show has tremendous potential to change industries around the world ,” said Sen. Moran. “The NSF Education Act and the Small Business Artificial Intelligence Training Act authorize federal investments in schools in Kansas and across the nation allowing them to provide AI training and education. These investments will also support small business owners who choose to use AI to help with finance management, marketing and other needs. I thank Chair Cantwell for leading this legislation with me and look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislation so the United States can continue to lead the world in AI development.”

The bipartisan NSF AI Education Act would expand educational opportunities to study artificial intelligence and quantum with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF). It would authorize the agency to award undergraduate and graduate scholarships in AI, quantum hybrid, and quantum, including scholarships focused on the use of AI in agriculture, education and advanced manufacturing. The bill would create fellowships for professional development for those already in the STEM and education workforce. It would require NSF to work with educators and academics to create guidance to introduce AI skills and education in K-12 classrooms and create Centers of Excellence at community colleges. It would also create grants for AI research, development and training in agriculture through Land-Grant Universities and the Cooperative Extension Service. The bill was introduced on May 23, 2024. View the supporters of the bill here.

The bipartisan Small Business Artificial Intelligence Training Act would authorize the Department of Commerce (DOC) to work with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create and distribute AI training resources to help small businesses leverage AI in their operations. The bill would develop new training on how to use AI or emerging technologies to improve financial management and accounting, business planning and operations, marketing, supply chain management, government contracting and exporting. It also directs specific AI training for small businesses in rural and tribal communities, and small businesses involved in advanced manufacturing. The bill was introduced on June 11, 2024. View the supporters of the bill here.

The Committee also passed the bipartisan Future of AI Innovation Act to maintain U.S. leadership in the global race to develop AI and other emerging technologies, led by Senators Maria Cantwell, Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.).