Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth
This Executive Order creates a coordinated federal effort to expand artificial intelligence (AI) education for American youth and strengthen educator training so students can both use and create AI technologies. It directs federal agencies to form a White House Task Force, run a national “Presidential AI Challenge,” build public‑private partnerships and online resources for K–12 AI literacy, prioritize AI in teacher training and education research, and expand AI‑related apprenticeships and workforce programs. The goal is to prepare students for an AI-driven economy, improve classroom instruction with AI tools, and increase pathways from high school into postsecondary credentials and AI careers. If implemented, the order could accelerate development and distribution of K–12 AI curricula and teacher professional development, create new apprenticeship and certification opportunities, and spur collaboration between government, industry, and education. Its effects will depend on agency follow‑through, available funding, and how states and local districts adopt the resources and guidance.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, chaired by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), with cabinet and agency participants (Education, Labor, NSF, Agriculture, Energy, etc.) to coordinate federal AI education efforts.
- 2Orders creation of a Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge to showcase student and educator AI projects; plans due in 90 days and the competition to be held within 12 months of the plan. The Challenge will include multiple age groups, regional competitions, and varied topic themes.
- 3Directs agencies to form public‑private partnerships to develop online K–12 AI learning resources and to identify federal resources (e.g., National AI Research Institutes) that can support state and local education efforts; resources should be classroom‑ready quickly (aim: within 180 days of initial partnership announcements).
- 4Prioritizes AI in educator training and education research: the Secretary of Education must issue guidance (within 90 days) on using federal grant funds to deploy AI for instruction and student supports; within 120 days the Secretary must prioritize AI in teacher training grants. The NSF is directed to prioritize research on AI in education; USDA is directed to use 4‑H and Cooperative Extension to advance AI training in formal and nonformal education.
- 5Expands workforce and career pathways: the Secretary of Labor must increase AI‑related Registered Apprenticeships, use workforce program funding (including WIOA) to develop AI skills for youth, set goals and performance targets, encourage industry standards and certifications, and give grant priority to providers that expand AI courses and credential opportunities (including dual enrollment for high school students).