S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  6874--A
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              March 18, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. TORRES -- read once and referred to the Committee
   on  Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted
   as amended and recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing an  arti-
   ficial intelligence literacy digital equity competitive grant program

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may  be  cited  as
 the "Artificial Intelligence Literacy Act".
   §  2.  Legislative  findings.  The  legislature, as well as the United
 States congress, finds that:
   (1) Artificial intelligence is transformative technology.
   (2) Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly ubiquitous making
 artificial intelligence literacy important.
   (3) Technological leadership in artificial intelligence is an economic
 and national security imperative.
   (4) Effective artificial intelligence literacy  initiatives  encompass
 not  only  technical training but also comprehensive education about the
 potential benefits and risks.
   (5) Informed developers and consumers of artificial intelligence tech-
 nologies can help mitigate risks and biases often found in systems  that
 use artificial intelligence.
   (6)  Basic  artificial  intelligence  literacy is critical to ensuring
 Americans have the tools and knowledge needed to  navigate  the  economy
 and digital world.
   (7)  Successful  artificial  intelligence  literacy  initiatives  will
 prepare Americans of all ages and technical backgrounds to safely  navi-
 gate  artificial  intelligence tools and artificial intelligence-enabled
 technologies.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD08797-03-5
 A. 6874--A                          2

              

   (8) Communities most negatively impacted by  artificial  intelligence-
 enabled  technologies often have the least access to artificial intelli-
 gence education.
   (9)  Artificial  intelligence  literacy initiatives must engage stake-
 holders and communities in all  stages  and  specific  outreach  efforts
 should  be  made  for  communities  disproportionately  impacted  by the
 digital divide, including minority and rural communities.
   (10) Jobs for the Future survey found 58% believe that learning oppor-
 tunities around artificial intelligence should be  offered  to  workers,
 53%  believe  such  opportunities  should  be available to learners, 54%
 believe they would feel more prepared for the future impact  of  artifi-
 cial intelligence if they were given learning tools for it.
   (11)  As  of 2018, the U.S. artificial intelligence workforce stood at
 about 14,000,000 workers or 9%  of  employment.  Demand  for  artificial
 intelligence  occupations  is projected to grow twice as fast as for all
 occupations in the U.S.
   (12) In 2021, black students made up only 7.5% of artificial  intelli-
 gence-related  bachelor's  degrees  despite  making  up 14% of the popu-
 lation. Women account for 60% of college graduates and only 40% of  STEM
 graduates and 25% of artificial intelligence graduates.
   (13)  The need for a strong workforce of artificial intelligence work-
 ers, as well an artificial  intelligence-literate  population,  requires
 investment in artificial intelligence literacy education.
   (14)  Artificial intelligence literacy must also encompass ethical and
 responsible use of emerging technologies.  Preparing  students  from  an
 early age to critically engage with artificial intelligence is essential
 for  cultivating  a  digitally  literate,  civically informed, and work-
 force-ready society.
   (15) Public investment in early-stage artificial  intelligence  educa-
 tion  will  expand  access to opportunity, foster equity, and ensure New
 York remains at the forefront of technological leadership.
   § 3. The education law is amended by adding a new section 115 to  read
 as follows:
   §  115. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LITERACY IN THE DIGITAL EQUITY COMPET-
 ITIVE GRANT PROGRAM. 1.  DEFINITIONS.  AS  USED  IN  THIS  SECTION,  THE
 FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL MEAN:
   A.  "ARTIFICIAL  INTELLIGENCE  SYSTEM" OR "AI SYSTEM" MEANS A MACHINE-
 BASED SYSTEM THAT, FOR EXPLICIT OR IMPLICIT OBJECTIVES, INFERS, FROM THE
 INPUT IT RECEIVES, HOW TO GENERATE OUTPUTS SUCH AS PREDICTIONS, CONTENT,
 RECOMMENDATIONS, OR DECISIONS THAT CAN  INFLUENCE  PHYSICAL  OR  VIRTUAL
 ENVIRONMENTS.  AI SYSTEMS VARY IN THEIR LEVELS OF AUTONOMY AND ADAPTIVE-
 NESS AFTER DEPLOYMENT.
   B. "ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LITERACY" MEANS THE SKILLS ASSOCIATED WITH
 THE ABILITY TO COMPREHEND THE BASIC PRINCIPLES, CONCEPTS,  AND  APPLICA-
 TIONS  OF  ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AS WELL AS THE IMPLICATIONS, LIMITA-
 TIONS AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE  OF  ARTIFICIAL
 INTELLIGENCE.
   C.  "COMMUNITY  ORGANIZATION" MEANS NOT-FOR-PROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZA-
 TIONS, OTHER THAN A SCHOOL, COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR INSTITUTION  OF  HIGHER
 EDUCATION, WHICH OFFER FREE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
   D. "ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LITERACY GRANT PROGRAM" OR "PROGRAM" MEANS
 THE  ARTIFICIAL  INTELLIGENCE  LITERACY DIGITAL EQUITY COMPETITIVE GRANT
 PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
   E. "ACADEMIC INSTITUTION" MEANS ANY  PUBLIC  ELEMENTARY  OR  SECONDARY
 SCHOOL, COMMUNITY COLLEGE, OR INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORIZED
 TO OPERATE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND RECOGNIZED BY THE NEW YORK STATE
 A. 6874--A                          3
 
 EDUCATION  DEPARTMENT  OR  THE  BOARD  OF REGENTS, WHICH PROVIDES FORMAL
 INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS THAT CULMINATE  IN  A  DIPLOMA,  CERTIFICATE,  OR
 DEGREE.
   F. "COMMUNITY COLLEGE" MEANS ANY INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION WITH-
 IN  THE  STATE  UNIVERSITY  OF  NEW  YORK OR CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
 SYSTEMS THAT IS AUTHORIZED TO CONFER ASSOCIATE DEGREES AND IS DEFINED AS
 A COMMUNITY COLLEGE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX  OF  THIS
 CHAPTER.
   G.  "INSTITUTION  OF  HIGHER  EDUCATION"  SHALL MEAN ANY POSTSECONDARY
 EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK THAT IS  AUTHORIZED
 BY  REGENTS  OR THE DEPARTMENT TO CONFER BACHELOR'S, MASTER'S, DOCTORAL,
 OR PROFESSIONAL DEGREES AND IS NOT DEFINED AS A COMMUNITY COLLEGE  UNDER
 THIS SECTION.
   H.  "PUBLIC  ELEMENTARY  AND  SECONDARY SCHOOLS" SHALL INCLUDE CHARTER
 SCHOOLS AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FIFTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER.    FOR
 THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, CHARTER SCHOOLS SHALL BE TREATED AS PUBLIC
 SCHOOLS  TO  THE  EXTENT  THEY PROVIDE ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY EDUCATION
 CONSISTENT WITH THEIR CHARTER AND MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS  SET
 FORTH BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   2.  ARTIFICIAL  INTELLIGENCE LITERACY DIGITAL EQUITY COMPETITIVE GRANT
 PROGRAM. A. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH AN ARTIFICIAL  INTELLIGENCE
 LITERACY  DIGITAL  EQUITY  COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM WHICH SHALL PROVIDE
 GRANTS TO PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS,  COMMUNITY  COLLEGES,
 INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT
 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LITERACY EFFORTS.
   B.  THE PROGRAM SHALL BE STRUCTURED AS A COMPETITIVE GRANT PROCESS. IN
 AWARDING GRANTS,  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  PRIORITIZE  APPLICANTS  THAT
 DEMONSTRATE BOTH:
   (I)  HIGH  LEVEL  OF NEED, AS DETERMINED BY FACTORS INCLUDING, BUT NOT
 LIMITED TO, LACK  OF  ACCESS  TO  COMPUTER  SCIENCE  EDUCATION,  A  HIGH
 PERCENTAGE  OF STUDENTS OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS,
 LIMITED TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, OR GEOGRAPHIC BARRIERS TO  DIGITAL
 INCLUSION.
   (II)  A  STRONG  AND  CLEARLY ARTICULATED PROPOSAL, INCLUDING SPECIFIC
 GOALS, STRATEGIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION  PLANS  FOR  EXPANDING  ACCESS  TO
 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LITERACY AND ADDRESSING EQUITY IN DIGITAL EDUCA-
 TION.
   C. ALL PROPOSALS SUBMITTED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL INCLUDE:
   (I)  A  DEMONSTRATION  OF NEED, INCLUDING QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
 DATA DESCRIBING THE APPLICANT'S EXISTING ACCESS TO  ARTIFICIAL  INTELLI-
 GENCE LITERACY RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
   (II)  CLEARLY  DEFINED AND MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES, INCLUDING THE ANTIC-
 IPATED NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS REACHED IF THE GRANT IS FULLY  IMPLEMENTED,
 AND RELEVANT SUCCESS METRICS.
   (III)  A  DETAILED  PLAN  OUTLINING HOW THE FUNDS WOULD BE USED IF THE
 APPLICANT IS AWARDED THE FULL AMOUNT REQUESTED.
   D. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ALSO ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR THE  DEVELOPMENT
 AND SUBMISSION OF GRANT APPLICATIONS AND PROPOSALS AND FOR THE SELECTION
 OF  RECIPIENTS  OF  GRANTS FROM THE PROGRAM. SUCH CRITERIA SHALL INCLUDE
 PROVISIONS TO  ENSURE  GEOGRAPHIC  DIVERSITY,  DEMOGRAPHIC  EQUITY,  AND
 ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE USE OF GRANT FUNDS.
   E.  TO  ENSURE  EQUITABLE  DISTRIBUTION  OF  FUNDING, THE TOTAL AMOUNT
 APPROPRIATED FOR THE PROGRAM SHALL BE ALLOCATED AS FOLLOWS:
   (I) THIRTY PERCENT TO PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
   (II) TWENTY PERCENT TO COMMUNITY COLLEGES.
   (III) FIFTEEN PERCENT TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
 A. 6874--A                          4
 
   (IV) FIVE PERCENT TO PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
   (V) THIRTY PERCENT TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
   F.  SUCH PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE GRANTS TO PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECOND-
 ARY SCHOOLS TO BE USED FOR:
   (I) PROVIDING TEACHERS TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION TO  SUPPORT  ARTIFI-
 CIAL INTELLIGENCE LITERACY EFFORTS IN SCHOOLS.
   (II)  FACILITATING  ATTENDANCE OF TEACHERS AT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
 COURSES, WORKSHOPS, AND CONFERENCES RELATED TO  ARTIFICIAL  INTELLIGENCE
 EDUCATION,  INCLUDING  PROFESSIONAL  DEVELOPMENT  RELATED  TO ARTIFICIAL
 INTELLIGENCE COURSE DESIGN AND FEE-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
   (III) FOR SCHOOLS WITHOUT RESOURCES FOR  COMPUTER  SCIENCE  EDUCATION,
 DEVELOPING  AND  DESIGNING BEST PRACTICES FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE MATERIALS
 NEEDED FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EDUCATION.
   (IV) SUPPORTING PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE  PRIVATE  SECTOR  TO  FACILITATE
 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EDUCATION.
   (V)  EQUIPPING  SCHOOLS WITH LABS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS HANDS-ON ARTIFI-
 CIAL INTELLIGENCE LEARNING EXPERIENCES.
   (VI) DEVELOPING VIRTUAL LEARNING PLATFORMS THAT FACILITATE REMOTE  AND
 INDIVIDUALIZED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.
   (VII) DEVELOPING PROGRAMS THAT PREPARE STUDENTS FOR FURTHER STUDIES OR
 FUTURE CAREERS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OR RELATED FIELDS.
   (VIII)   PROVIDING   FOUNDATIONAL   ARTIFICIAL  INTELLIGENCE  LITERACY
 INSTRUCTION TAILORED TO GRADE LEVEL.
   G. PROVIDE GRANTS TO COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO BE USED FOR ONE OR MORE  OF
 THE FOLLOWING:
   (I)  DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING AN INTERDISCIPLINARY LITERACY PROGRAM
 WITH RESPECT TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE  FOR  NON-TRADITIONAL  LEARNERS,
 INCLUDING  THROUGH  PARTNERSHIPS  WITH  NON-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZA-
 TIONS.
   (II) DEVELOPING LABS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS HANDS-ON ARTIFICIAL  INTELLI-
 GENCE LEARNING EXPERIENCES.
   (III) DEVELOPING VIRTUAL LEARNING PLATFORMS THAT FACILITATE REMOTE AND
 INDIVIDUALIZED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.
   H. PROVIDE GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO BE USED FOR:
   (I)  DEVELOPING  LABS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS HANDS-ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLI-
 GENCE LEARNING EXPERIENCES.
   (II) DEVELOPING VIRTUAL LEARNING PLATFORMS THAT FACILITATE REMOTE  AND
 INDIVIDUALIZED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.
   (III)  DEVELOPING  PROGRAMMING  AND  PEDAGOGICAL TOOLS WITH RESPECT TO
 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTION  FOR  THE  BENEFIT  OF
 ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY EDUCATORS.
   (IV)  DEVELOPING  PROGRAMS THAT PREPARE PARTICIPANTS TO USE ARTIFICIAL
 INTELLIGENCE TOOLS IN THE WORKPLACE, INCLUDING SECTOR-SPECIFIC  APPLICA-
 TIONS.
   I.  PROVIDE  GRANTS  TO  COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO BE USED FOR ONE OR
 MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:
   (I) PROVIDING TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION WITH  RESPECT  TO  ARTIFICIAL
 INTELLIGENCE  EDUCATION  AND  INSTRUCTION  TO EMPLOYEES OF THE COMMUNITY
 ORGANIZATIONS.
   (II) DEVELOPING  AND  IMPLEMENTING  ARTIFICIAL  INTELLIGENCE  LEARNING
 EXPERIENCES  AND  EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO THE COMMUNITY SERVED BY THE
 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
   (III) OFFERING PROGRAMMING TO SUPPORT ADULT LEARNERS AND JOBSEEKERS IN
 UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING ARTIFICIAL  INTELLIGENCE  IN  THE  WORKFORCE,
 PARTICULARLY IN HIGH-GROWTH OR DIGITALLY TRANSFORMING INDUSTRIES.
 A. 6874--A                          5
 
   J.  REQUIRE  ANY  ENTITY WHICH IS AWARDED A GRANT UNDER THE PROGRAM TO
 SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE COMMISSIONER ON OR BEFORE JULY FIRST OF EACH YEAR
 FOR FOUR YEARS FOLLOWING THE GRANT BEING AWARDED  WHICH  SHALL  INCLUDE,
 BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   (I) THE NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS TRAINED OR SCHEDULED FOR
 TRAINING.
   (II)  THE  NUMBER OF SCHOOLS THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED THIS PROGRAM ACROSS
 THE STATE.
   (III) THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS REACHED, AND AT WHICH GRADE LEVEL.
   (IV) DISAGGREGATED DATA BASED ON RACE, ETHNICITY, COUNTY, AND SCHOOL.
   (V) PROSPECTIVE TIMELINE TO REACH ALL SCHOOLS.
   (VI) THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT.
   (VII) THE USE OF GRANT AMOUNTS.
   (VIII) THE PROGRESS OF THE ENTITY TOWARDS  FULFILLING  THE  OBJECTIVES
 FOR WHICH THE GRANT WAS AWARDED.
   3.  METRICS AND EVALUATION. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT
 A STANDARDIZED FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ARTIFI-
 CIAL INTELLIGENCE LITERACY GRANT PROGRAM. SUCH FRAMEWORK SHALL  INCLUDE,
 BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   A.  MEASUREMENT  OF  STUDENT  LEARNING  OUTCOMES RELATED TO ARTIFICIAL
 INTELLIGENCE CONCEPTS, COMPETENCIES, AND DIGITAL FLUENCY.
   B. PARTICIPATION RATES IN ARTIFICIAL  INTELLIGENCE  LITERACY  PROGRAMS
 DISAGGREGATED BY GRADE LEVEL, DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP, AND INSTITUTION TYPE.
   C. EVALUATION OF HOW AND TO WHAT EXTENT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LITER-
 ACY CONTENT HAS BEEN INTEGRATED INTO EXISTING SCHOOL CURRICULA OR COMMU-
 NITY PROGRAMMING.
   D.  LONGITUDINAL  TRACKING  OF  PARTICIPANTS'  ENGAGEMENT WITH FURTHER
 EDUCATION OR CAREER PATHWAYS  RELATED  TO  ARTIFICIAL  INTELLIGENCE  AND
 TECHNOLOGY FIELDS.
   4.  GRANT ADMINISTRATION. A. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL AWARD GRANTS UNDER
 THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LITERACY GRANT PROGRAM AND SHALL  ADMINISTER
 THE PROGRAM IN CONSULTATION WITH RELEVANT OFFICES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
   B.  THE  DEPARTMENT  SHALL  ESTABLISH  PROCEDURES FOR THE APPLICATION,
 REVIEW, APPROVAL, DISTRIBUTION, AND MONITORING OF GRANT AWARDS,  INCLUD-
 ING   CLEAR  GUIDANCE  ON  TIMELINES,  ELIGIBILITY,  DOCUMENTATION,  AND
 DISBURSEMENT.
   C. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ENSURE THAT ALL GRANT FUNDS ARE  DISTRIBUTED
 IN  A  TIMELY  AND  TRANSPARENT MANNER, WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO ADVANCING
 EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND DIGITAL ACCESS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
   D. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO APPLICANTS AND
 GRANTEES TO SUPPORT STRONG PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT, COMPLIANCE WITH PROGRAM
 REQUIREMENTS, AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION.
   E. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT AUDITS, INSPECTIONS,
 OR PROGRAM EVALUATIONS OF GRANTEES AND MAY RECAPTURE OR REALLOCATE FUNDS
 NOT USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE GRANT.
   F. ALL GRANTEES SHALL COMPLY WITH  STATE  REPORTING  REQUIREMENTS  AND
 PARTICIPATE  IN  DEPARTMENT-LED  EVALUATIONS AS A CONDITION OF RECEIVING
 FUNDING.
   5. REPORTS. ON OR BEFORE JANUARY FIRST NEXT SUCCEEDING  THE  EFFECTIVE
 DATE OF THIS SECTION AND EACH JANUARY FIRST THEREAFTER, THE COMMISSIONER
 SHALL  SUBMIT  A  REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
 SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND THE CHAIRS OF  THE  SENATE  AND
 ASSEMBLY  EDUCATION  COMMITTEES  AND  HIGHER  EDUCATION COMMITTEES WHICH
 SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
 A. 6874--A                          6
 
   A. SUMMARIZING AND ANALYZING THE REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSIONER
 FOR THAT YEAR AND INFORMATION ON SUCH REPORTS REQUIRED UNDER PARAGRAPH J
 OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION;
   B. SUMMARIZING THE METRICS ESTABLISHED UNDER SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS
 SECTION; AND
   C. RECOMMENDING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROGRAM.
   6. RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO
 ESTABLISH  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  TO  IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
 SECTION.
   § 4. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become  a
 law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any
 rule  or  regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its
 effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such
 effective date.