Artificial Intelligence Education and Workforce Readiness Act of 2026

This bill establishes a federal framework for artificial intelligence (AI) in education and the workforce, promoting ethical teaching and learning of AI, equitable access to AI-ready workforce development, and safeguarding student and worker data privacy. It creates grant programs, councils, strategies, and compliance measures across multiple titles.

Sec. 3, Definitions: Defines key terms including 'algorithmic bias' as unintended disparities in outcomes based on protected characteristics from AI design or use.

Sec. 4, List of AI-augmented occupations: Requires the Secretary of Labor, with Education and NSF, to publish a list of AI-augmented occupations within 270 days, not limiting program eligibility to that list.

Sec. 5, Interagency council: Establishes an Interagency Council on AI in Education and the Workforce to coordinate federal activities and develop a national AI education and workforce readiness strategy.

Sec. 6, Compliance: Sets compliance definitions and enforcement mechanisms for covered activities under the Act.

Sec. 7, Authorization of appropriations: Authorizes $10 million per year for fiscal years 2027-2031 for sections 4-6.

Title I, AI Education and Training Programs: Authorizes $350 million per year for fiscal years 2027-2031 for grants for AI-disrupted career pathways, stackable micro-credentials, state plan amendments, school leader training, research on AI in education, regional centers for human-centered AI, and practice guides.

Title II, Workforce Development and Reskilling Initiatives: Authorizes $450 million per year for fiscal years 2027-2031 for a national AI workforce strategy, an industry coordination council, state implementation plans, grants for AI apprenticeships and reskilling, a fellowship program, AI accessibility for individuals with disabilities, a tax credit for AI reskilling, and reporting on displacement.

Title III, Equitable Access to AI in Education and Careers: Authorizes $450 million per year for fiscal years 2027-2031 for grants promoting equitable AI education access, capacity-building at minority-serving institutions, career equity for underserved communities, mentorship networks, and guidance on AI in recruitment and performance evaluation.

Title IV, Activities Related to AI Environmental Impacts: Authorizes $120 million per year for fiscal years 2027-2031 for workforce development for environmental accountability, research on AI environmental impacts, community transparency and environmental disclosure for AI infrastructure operators, and measurement standards from NIST.

Title V, Student and Worker Data Privacy: Authorizes $100 million per year for fiscal years 2027-2031 for a data breach reporting portal, AI risk assessments in educational technology, guidance on safe AI use in education, rules for automated decision systems in workforce programs, interagency coordination, and enforcement.