HR 5584119th CongressIn Committee

LIFT AI Act

Introduced: Sep 26, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7] (R-New Jersey)

EducationTechnology & Innovation

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Literacy in Future Technologies Artificial Intelligence Act (LIFT AI Act) would authorize and guide federal efforts to boost AI literacy in K-12 education. Specifically, it tasks the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) with awarding competitive grants to colleges, universities, or nonprofit organizations (or consortia) to develop AI-focused curricula, teacher professional development, evaluation tools, and related educational resources for K-12 students. Awards are to support research and activities that produce learner-centered, project-based, and adaptable AI instruction, help educators teach responsible AI use, and expand AI-related learning tools. The act emphasizes aligning activities with the rapidly evolving nature of AI and ensuring students progress to more advanced topics as they advance through grades. It frames AI literacy as essential for U.S. leadership, workforce readiness, and national security, while enabling implementation through NSF programs.

Key Points

1Purpose and scope: The act aims to improve AI literacy for K-12 students by funding research and development of curricula, instructional materials, teacher training, and evaluation methods, with an emphasis on age-appropriate, responsible, and hands-on learning.
2Funding mechanism: The Director of the NSF may award merit-reviewed, competitive grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations (or consortia) to carry out AI literacy-related work for K-12 education.
3Scope of funded activities: Grants may support curriculum development, educator professional development, evaluation tools, professional learning experiences for state and local education leaders, creation of hands-on learning tools, augmentation of existing curricula to include AI literacy and responsible AI use, and other director-approved activities.
4Implementation and definitions: The Director may implement these awards through new or existing NSF programs. Key definitions include AI literacy (age-appropriate knowledge and skills to use AI, interpret outputs, solve problems, and mitigate risks), AI as defined in the National AI Initiative Act of 2020, and K-12 education as elementary and secondary education per the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
5Outcomes and progression: The act calls for recognizing the evolving nature of AI and ensuring student progression to more advanced topics, supporting an AI-ready workforce and future innovators.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: K-12 students and their educators, including states and local school districts, who will be the direct recipients of improved AI literacy education and professional development.Secondary group/area affected: Institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations that would receive grants, and the NSF as the implementing agency; state and local education agencies, superintendents, principals, and other school leaders who would participate in professional development.Additional impacts: Potential influence on curriculum development and instructional materials at the K-12 level, increased emphasis on responsible AI use in schools, and alignment with national AI strategy and competitiveness. Note: the bill does not specify funding levels or appropriations, so actual budget and fiscal impact would depend on subsequent funding decisions by Congress.

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