President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week that seeks to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 schools.
The order states that AI is “rapidly transforming the modern world, driving innovation across industries, enhancing productivity, and reshaping the way we live and work. To ensure the United States remains a global leader in this technological revolution, we must provide our Nation’s youth with opportunities to cultivate the skills and understanding necessary to use and create the next generation of AI technology.”
According to the order, fostering AI “competency” will “equip our students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to and thrive in an increasingly digital society,” providing students with creative opportunities and preparing them to “become active and responsible participants in the workforce of the future and nurturing the next generation of American AI innovators to propel our Nation to new heights of scientific and economic achievement.”
Trump’s order further creates a task force for AI that will “establish public-private partnerships with leading AI industry organizations, academic institutions, nonprofit entities, and other organizations with expertise in AI and computer science education to collaboratively develop online resources focused on teaching K-12 students foundational AI literacy and critical thinking skills.”
President Trump issued a separate order on AI in January, which aimed to create AI systems that are free from ideological bias. The executive order revokes policies established during President Joe Biden’s administration, which Trump’s team claims hindered AI innovation.
“With the right Government policies, we can solidify our position as the global leader in AI and secure a brighter future for all Americans,” the January order read.
