The California Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring AB 2876 (Berman; D-Palo Alto), a bill that would allow California to take a crucial first step forward in fostering an artificial intelligence-literate population and future workforce by teaching artificial intelligence (AI) literacy in schools.
AB 2876 will be heard in the Assembly Education Committee tomorrow.
“AI has the potential to positively impact the way we live, but only if we know how to use it, and use it responsibly,” said Assemblymember Marc Berman. “No matter their future profession, we must ensure that all students understand basic AI principles and applications, that they have the skills to recognize when AI is employed, and are aware of AI’s implications, limitations, and ethical considerations. AB 2876 will equip all of California’s students with the skills and training they need to thrive as AI becomes more mainstream.”
AB 2876 will ensure that all K-12 students receive instruction in AI literacy by directing the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) to incorporate AI literacy content into the mathematics, science, and history-social science curriculum frameworks when those frameworks are next revised.
These materials will cover the knowledge, skills, and attitudes associated with how AI works, including its principles, concepts, and applications, as well as how to use artificial intelligence, including its limitations, implications, and ethical considerations.
“Incorporating this information into existing curricula will dispel the stigma and mystique of the technology, not only helping students become more discerning and intentional users and consumers of AI, but also better positioning future generations of workers to succeed in an AI-driven workforce and hopefully inspiring the next generation of computer scientists,” said CalChamber Policy Advocate Ronak Daylami. “If California is to successfully harness the tremendous promise of this technology, it is vital that it place greater emphasis and resources on preparing students and arming them with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to identify, understand, and successfully utilize all kinds of AI that they may encounter in their future workplaces and in their daily lives.
About CalChamber
The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) is the largest broad-based business advocate to government in California. Membership represents one-quarter of the private sector jobs in California and includes firms of all sizes and companies from every industry within the state. Leveraging our front-line knowledge of laws and regulations, we provide products and services to help businesses comply with both federal and state law. CalChamber, a not-for-profit organization with roots dating to 1890, promotes international trade and investment in order to stimulate California’s economy and create jobs. Please visit our website at www.calchamber.com.
