Artificial Intelligence Education and Workforce Readiness Act of 2026

(a) Program authorized. The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall establish a program to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to develop and implement artificial intelligence reskilling programs.

(b) Eligible entity. In this section, the term eligible entity means—

(1) a local board;

(2) a State board;

(3) a junior or community college;

(4) an employer that employs, or seeks to employ, workers in artificial intelligence-augmented occupations or artificial intelligence-impacted industries;

(5) an industry or sector partnership including employers representing artificial intelligence-augmented occupations or artificial intelligence-impacted industries;

(6) a joint labor-management partnership representing workers in artificial intelligence-augmented occupations or artificial intelligence-impacted industries;

(7) a nonprofit organization that provides or has expertise in workforce development services to workers in artificial intelligence-augmented occupations, artificial intelligence-impacted industries, or underserved communities;

(8) an institution of higher education with demonstrated expertise in workforce development, reskilling, or training program design and implementation, with regard to such program design and implementation for adult learner populations; or

(9) a consortium of 2 or more entities described in paragraphs (1) through (8).

(c) Application requirements. An eligible entity applying for a grant under this section shall describe how such eligible entity plans to ensure equitable access to programs developed by such eligible entity using such grant, including by—

(1) designing such programs to include participants with minimal exposure or access to, or adoption of, artificial intelligence models or systems as such models or systems relate to educational opportunities or skill development; and

(2) seeking to maximize access by the participants described in paragraph (1) to such programs.

(d) Priority. In awarding a grant under this section, the Secretary of Labor shall prioritize an eligible entity that seeks to develop and implement an artificial intelligence reskilling program that serves or focuses on—

(1) an underserved community;

(2) in-demand or emerging roles and skills, as determined by the Secretary of Labor; or

(3) incumbent workers (as defined in section 680.780 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)) in an artificial intelligence-impacted industry.

(e) Use of funds. An eligible entity may use a grant awarded under this section for the following:

(1) Designing and disseminating model curricula and training materials for artificial intelligence reskilling—

(A) in multiple languages;

(B) in accessible formats; and

(C) under an open-access license.

(2) Providing training for faculty of an artificial intelligence reskilling program conducted by such entity on—

(A) artificial intelligence ethics; and

(B) artificial intelligence accessibility.

(3) Providing participants in artificial intelligence reskilling programs conducted by such entity with—

(A) stipends to defray such expenses incurred by such participants with regard to participation in such reskilling programs;

(B) wage subsidies to participating employers with regard to on-the-job training related to such reskilling programs;

(C) child care;

(D) transportation;

(E) internet access;

(F) assistive technology;

(G) internship placements; and

(H) career navigation support.

(f) Reports

(1) Eligible entity reports. Not later than 1 year after the date on which such grant is awarded and annually thereafter during the period of such grant, each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary of Labor a report describing the activities undertaken and outcomes achieved by such eligible entity using such grant during the 1-year period covered by such report.

(2) Reports to Congress. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to Congress a report describing the grants awarded under this section during the 1-year period covered by such report and the outcomes achieved during such 1-year period by eligible entities receiving such grants.

(g) Compliance. Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall be subject to the requirements under section 6.