As Inauguration Day approaches, President-elect Trump is signaling that he will deregulate AI. He’s staffing up with AI industry insiders and has already stated he will revoke President Biden’s Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.
But what does the new administration and a Republican-controlled Congress mean for AI and education? With Congress finally paying attention to this topic, there is a chance lawmakers will pass legislation that unlocks opportunities for AI in teaching and learning. In its last legislative session, Congress assembled working groups, learned from AI experts, and put out reports. This new Congress could be poised to pass its first AI and education bill.
What’s Congress Doing About AI And Education?
Last month, a bipartisan AI Task Force in the U.S. House of Representatives released its first report – 250+ pages on “guiding principles, forward-looking recommendations, and policy proposals to ensure America continues to lead the world in AI innovation.” It covers a variety of issues and, significantly, dedicates a section to “Education and Workforce.” This was the culmination of the task force’s engagement with hundreds of experts throughout 2024 to learn about AI.
Also in the last legislative session, former Majority Leader Chuck Schumer convened a Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group. This group hosted a series of nine AI Insight Forums, which ultimately informed their Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence Policy in the United States Senate, released in May 2024. This was a blueprint of broad AI policy recommendations for Senate committees of jurisdiction. Though it was light on education-related policy recommendations, it encouraged Congress to invest in a cross-government AI research and development effort, as well as fund outstanding CHIPS and Science Act accounts – both of which are good for education innovation and improvement.
Before the 118th Congress wrapped up, Senate and House science committees considered a handful of AI bills, including some addressing AI and education. Yet, as so often happens, none of those bills made it to the House or Senate floor.
What Would AI And Education Legislation Do?
Bills that promote AI literacy for students and educators or grow AI research capacity are the most likely to gain traction in the 119th Congress. These are themes that came up in the House’s AI report, and are reflected in bills from the last session.
The House report notes that “AI literacy is critical in empowering the American public to responsibly use and respond to AI technologies.” It calls for federal agencies to support professional development that enables students, teachers, and administrators to deploy AI effectively in schools. Bills like the LIFT AI Act (H.R. 9211) and the NSF AI Education Act of 2024 (H.R. 9402, S. 4394), introduced in the 118th Congress, aimed to build AI acumen for students and education professionals.
The report also cites a lack of access to AI resources as a challenge facing the nation’s AI research community. The House AI Task Force sees promise in the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot, initiated during the Biden administration and working toward a shared national research infrastructure for AI exploration and innovation. The CREATE AI Act (H.R. 5077, S. 2714) would authorize and sustain the NAIRR, to be run by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The Expanding AI Voices Act (H.R. 9403) would broaden and diversify the talent engaged in AI research and innovation by increasing capacity at minority serving institutions.
Bills supporting AI literacy and research could see a resurgence in this Congress and potentially get passed, as long as bipartisan support holds.
Not only is the Education Department an agency Trump would like to see shuttered, all education-related AI bills introduced so far have been directed at the NSF. Sethuraman Panchanathan, NSF’s director who was nominated in Trump’s first term, has been enthusiastic about driving responsible AI discovery and innovation.
What Can We Expect From The New Administration?
President-elect Trump has indicated that he will loosen AI regulations. He has stated he will rescind Biden’s Executive Order and added deep-pocketed AI investors like David Sacks, Sriram Krishnan, and Elon Musk to his team. It’s not yet clear if the new administration will support the type of AI legislation considered in the last legislative session, but given their general interest in AI innovation and Republican involvement in crafting those bills, it is certainly possible.
Trump’s pick for U.S. Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, has not been vocal about her stances on AI in the classroom. However, if any federal actions under the Trump administration support AI and education, it will most likely happen at the National Science Foundation (NSF), rather than the Education Department. Not only is the Education Department an agency Trump would like to see shuttered, all education-related AI bills introduced so far have been directed at the NSF. Sethuraman Panchanathan, NSF’s director who was nominated in Trump’s first term, has been enthusiastic about driving responsible AI discovery and innovation.
Ultimately, it will be up to the American public to convince policymakers that federal support is needed. Communities are trying to figure out how to deploy AI responsibly and effectively. Lawmakers must understand the needs of real people – not just tech billionaires – to shape policies that tap into the promise of AI and education.
How Likely Is Federal Action On AI And Education?
Of course, the Trump administration could focus on AI deregulation and choose to not make AI-related investments in education. On the Hill, GOP agenda items like extending the 2017 tax cuts and increasing border security will get priority over any AI and education bill.
Yet, there is bipartisan interest in AI and education. Considering the work some members of Congress have done to get smarter about AI and start introducing education bills, there may even be some momentum.
Ultimately, it will be up to the American public – advocates, teachers, families, school and district leaders – to convince policymakers that federal support is needed. Communities are trying to figure out how to deploy AI responsibly and effectively – and at a rate that keeps pace with the speed of AI innovation. Lawmakers must understand the needs of real people – not just tech billionaires – to shape policies that tap into the promise of AI and education.
