Artificial Intelligence Education and Workforce Readiness Act of 2026

(a) Establishment. The Secretary of Education shall establish a program to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to develop capacity for artificial intelligence education and research.

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

(1) an institution specified in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)); or

(2) a consortium consisting of 2 or more institutions described in paragraph (1).

(c) Priority. In awarding a grant under this section, the Secretary of Education shall prioritize an eligible entity that—

(1) intends to match funds received under such grant with funds received from other sources;

(2) has established partnerships with—

(A) an employer;

(B) a local board; or

(C) a State board; and

(3) demonstrates intent to include in activities carried out using a grant awarded under this section—

(A) women students;

(B) first-generation college students (as such term is defined in section 318 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059e)); and

(C) low-income individuals (as such term is defined in such section 318).

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

(1) Establishing interdisciplinary artificial intelligence research centers focused on—

(A) artificial intelligence ethics;

(B) education; and

(C) the workforce.

(2) Developing curricula and certificate programs in—

(A) artificial intelligence;

(B) data science; and

(C) automation.

(3) Providing training to faculty of such eligible entity on—

(A) the responsible use of artificial intelligence; and

(B) inclusive pedagogy.

(4) Establishing incubator programs for student projects serving underserved communities.

(5) Developing joint research programs and student internship programs with employers.

(e) 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 Education 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 Education 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.

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