President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at advancing artificial intelligence education for American youth. The order establishes a White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, which will coordinate federal efforts to promote AI literacy and proficiency among students and teachers.
The task force, chaired by the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will include key members of the administration, such as the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Labor, and the Special Advisor for AI & Crypto. Its primary goal is to develop public-private partnerships to provide resources for K-12 AI education, enhance AI-related education, and better utilize AI tools in education.
The executive order also directs the Secretary of Education to prioritize the use of AI in discretionary grant programs for teacher training. Additionally, the Secretary of Labor will leverage authorities and financial incentives to increase participation in AI-related apprenticeships and encourage states to use Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding to develop AI skills.
A Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge will be established to encourage and highlight student and educator achievements in AI. This nationwide competition aims to promote wide geographic adoption of technological advancement and foster collaboration between government, academia, philanthropy, and industry to address national challenges with AI solutions.¹ ²
The move has been seen as a positive step by some, but concerns have been raised about the abolition of the Office of Educational Technology, which could impact the effectiveness of these initiatives. Experts emphasize the need for clear guidance on AI literacy and critical thinking skills, as well as addressing the fact that many states aren't ready for AI education.
