ICYMI: Late last year, the Bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence released a new report highlighting challenges and opportunities in maintaining U.S. leadership in AI. The task force, launched in February 2024 by Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, is co-chaired by Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) and includes an evenly split bipartisan group of 24 members.

The report draws on insights from 20 congressional committees and outlines recommendations spanning multiple industries. 

For PK-12 education, the report underscores how critical early AI education and literacy will be for maintaining U.S. competitiveness and preparing students for an AI-driven future. While emphasizing the transformative potential of AI in education, the report also acknowledges significant gaps in teacher training, resources, and policy guidance that need to be addressed. Here are three key implications for PK-12 education:

  1. Promote AI literacy as a core skill: The task force recognizes that AI literacy—similar to digital literacy—should be a fundamental part of K-12 education. This goes beyond teaching technical skills to helping students understand both the capabilities and limitations of AI technologies. The report calls for federal and state support to integrate age-appropriate AI education across disciplines, ensuring students become informed consumers and responsible users of AI tools.
  2. Support teachers and address resource gaps: Less than a third of K-12 teachers have received professional training on using AI in the classroom, and many schools lack the computational resources needed for AI education. The task force highlights the importance of initiatives like federal funding for professional development programs and expanding access to advanced computing resources, particularly for underserved communities and schools with limited IT infrastructure.
  3. Develop clear AI educational policies: About half (24, as of September of last year) states have issued AI-related guidance from their state departments of education, leaving many school districts uncertain about how to handle AI tools in the classroom. The task force emphasizes the need for clear policies and guidelines around academic integrity, appropriate AI use, and implementation strategies. States and districts need support in developing comprehensive frameworks that both protect academic integrity and harness AI’s educational potential.

For higher education, the report emphasizes the need for institutions to adapt and prepare students for the rapidly evolving AI landscape, but also acknowledges the key barriers—such as limited access to resources, training, and partnerships—that could impede progress. Here are four takeaways for higher education. 

  1. Expand access to AI tools and resources: Many colleges, especially community colleges and minority-serving institutions, lack the computational resources and IT infrastructure needed to train AI systems. The task force highlights the importance of initiatives like the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Pilot to equip institutions with access to advanced data, software, and tools.
  2. Invest in faculty training and policy development: Faculty need training to responsibly integrate AI into classrooms and curricula. The report calls for federal and state funding for professional development programs to help educators understand both the capabilities and limitations of AI technologies.
  3. Foster public-private partnerships: The report also highlights programs like IBM’s Pathways in Technology Early College High School as examples of how schools, colleges, and industry can collaborate to prepare students for an AI-driven workforce. The task force recommends expanding similar initiatives to give students real-world AI experience and direct pathways to tech careers.
  4. Promote skills-based hiring practices: The report highlights the federal government’s push, led by agencies like the Office of Personnel Management, to prioritize skills-based hiring over traditional degree requirements. It emphasizes the opportunity for federal agencies to hire more workers without a four-year degree and calls on higher education institutions to integrate industry-recognized credentials into degree programs to create pathways to careers in AI technology.