HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania school districts could receive state grants to train educators on artificial intelligence under legislation that cleared the House Education Committee on Tuesday, moving a proposed state role in classroom AI implementation closer to a vote by the full House.
House Bill 2788, sponsored by state Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, would establish an Artificial Intelligence Professional Development Grant Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The committee approved the measure 24-2 with bipartisan support.
Schools could use grants for professional development covering AI literacy, lesson planning, privacy and cybersecurity, as well as the development of local policies governing artificial intelligence.
The proposal would leave decisions about implementing and using AI technologies with individual school districts while providing state resources to train educators.
“Our schools are struggling as to how they should deal with AI in the classroom,” Pielli said. “AI can be a beneficial tool in the classroom if incorporated correctly.”
Pielli argued that teacher training should focus on using AI as a supplemental classroom tool rather than making educators dependent on the technology.
“Our children don’t need teachers who can create their lesson plans faster thanks to AI software,” Pielli said. “What they need are educators who are not dependent on AI but instead use it as another tool in their arsenal to help inspire young minds and get their students engaged in their lessons.”
The legislation now advances to the full Pennsylvania House for consideration.
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