NSF AI Education Act of 2024

This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support education and professional development related to artificial intelligence (AI) through scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other programs. It also includes provisions for guidance, outreach, and workforce frameworks for critical technologies.

Sec. 2, Definitions: Defines key terms used in the bill, including 'artificial intelligence,' 'community college,' 'Director' (of NSF), 'emerging research institution,' and terms from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Sec. 3, Undergraduate scholarships for AI education: Authorizes the Director to award merit- or need-based scholarships to undergraduate students for studying AI, quantum hybrid computing, or AI and agriculture, with preference for students at rural, Tribal, or minority-serving institutions.

Sec. 4, Graduate scholarships for AI education: Authorizes similar merit- or need-based scholarships for graduate students in AI, quantum hybrid computing, AI and agriculture, and AI and education.

Sec. 5, NSF AI professional development fellowships: Establishes a program for fellowships to promote exchange between higher education and industry in AI and emerging technologies, covering tuition, fees, and a stipend.

Sec. 6, AI training for land-grant colleges and universities: Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, with NSF, to award grants to land-grant colleges for AI in agriculture, including research, educational resources, and tool deployment.

Sec. 7, Quantum fellowships and scholarships: Allows the Director to support fellowships and scholarships for STEM students to increase quantum information science exposure and post-graduation employment opportunities.

Sec. 8, NSF outreach campaign: Requires a nationwide outreach campaign to increase awareness of AI or quantum education opportunities at NSF, prioritizing underserved and rural areas.

Sec. 9, Community college and vocational school centers of AI excellence: Directs the Director to designate at least five regionally diverse community colleges or vocational schools as Centers of AI Excellence, in coordination with other programs.

Sec. 10, Award program for research on AI in education: Authorizes competitive awards for research on AI teaching models and tools, focusing on elementary and secondary students from low-income, rural, or Tribal populations.

Sec. 11, NSF awards for AI resources: Authorizes awards to educational agencies and institutions to provide or increase access to AI tools and applications, with preference for geographically diverse or underserved institutions.

Sec. 12, Guidance for AI in elementary and secondary education: Requires the Director, with other agencies, to develop public guidance for AI use in K-12 education within two years, including considerations for rural areas and different applications.

Sec. 13, NSF grand challenges for AI education and training: Directs the Director to support prize competitions to stimulate innovation in training workers in AI, overcoming barriers, avoiding worker displacement, increasing women's participation, and benefiting rural areas.

Sec. 14, Criteria on gift acceptance and public-private partnerships: Requires the Director to establish criteria for accepting contributions to ensure fairness and integrity, including verification of foreign ownership or control.

Sec. 15, Activities subject to funding: States that activities under this bill are only required if sufficient funds are appropriated or made available by Congress.

Sec. 16, Research security: Requires activities to be carried out in accordance with existing research security laws.

Sec. 17, Workforce frameworks for critical and emerging technologies: Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to include developing workforce frameworks for critical and emerging technologies.

Sec. 18, Restrictions on awards to certain institutions: Prohibits funding to institutions found in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 due to discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics since January 1, 2020.