Modifying the duties of the workforce development board, state board of education, and department of education related to cyber and artificial intelligence

This bill modifies the duties of the workforce development board, state board of education, and department of education related to cyber and artificial intelligence. The bill requires the workforce development board to establish a comprehensive initiative to address the state’s cyber and artificial intelligence workforce needs. The comprehensive initiative is required to include: support for the development and implementation of standards for cyber and artificial intelligence literacy within the kindergarten through grade 12 public school curriculum; facilitation of partnerships between institutions of higher learning governed by the state board of regents and private industry to create internships, research opportunities, and specialized degree programs; and, subject to an appropriation of funds by the general assembly, establish and operate a grant program to support educational institutions and private sector entities in developing and expanding cyber and artificial intelligence training programs, and programs designed to facilitate career transitions into fields related to cyber or artificial intelligence for current professionals. The bill requires the state board of education to oversee, in consultation with the state board of regents and the presidents of the community colleges and the chancellors of the community colleges who serve as the chief executive officers of such community colleges, the implementation of educational frameworks from kindergarten through higher education that include: prioritization of federal funding opportunities to bridge the gap between kindergarten through grade 12 and higher education in cyber and artificial intelligence; establishment of statewide, mandated outcomes or standards for cyber and artificial intelligence literacy for all students that are based on successful outcomes or standards established in other states; development and adoption of consistent statewide standards and frameworks for cyber and artificial intelligence education, from kindergarten through higher education; and the establishment of a voluntary certification program for school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to achieve a designation or certification recognizing that the school district, accredited nonpublic school, charter school, or innovation zone school is in compliance with established standards and best practices related to cyber and artificial intelligence. The bill requires the department of education to develop and implement, in consultation with the department of public safety, a statewide community education initiative for cyber and artificial intelligence awareness, which includes the creation of an accessible digital resource hub for educational materials focused on high-need or at-risk demographics, and the development of specific marketing campaigns and educational content tailored to key demographic groups.