News Summary
The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) will be a core partner in the new K–12 AI Infrastructure Program, which aims to develop open AI datasets and models to enhance education. With a funding of $26 million over four years, the initiative focuses on improving the safety, effectiveness, and equity of AI tools used in schools. It encourages developers and educators to create AI tools grounded in learning science, promoting transparency and accessibility across the education sector.
Philadelphia
The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) has recently announced its role as a core partner in a significant new national initiative, the K–12 AI Infrastructure Program. This groundbreaking program, spearheaded by Digital Promise, is allocating $26 million over four years to develop open artificial intelligence (AI) datasets and models specifically for K–12 education. The initiative aims to enhance the safety, effectiveness, and equity of AI tools used in schools across the nation.
Advancing K–12 Education with Open AI Infrastructure
The K–12 AI Infrastructure Program is structured as a grants-based initiative with a clear objective: to enable developers, school districts, and educators to create AI tools that are firmly rooted in learning science. This approach seeks to move away from proprietary or unclear AI systems, fostering greater transparency and pedagogical alignment.
A core principle of the program is the commitment to openly share all funded outputs. This includes foundational components such as datasets, models, benchmarks, and other digital public goods, which will be broadly available without cost under suitable open licenses. This strategy is designed to remove barriers to access and reuse, accelerating innovation across the education sector. The overarching goal is to bridge the existing gaps between the scientific principles of teaching and learning and the capabilities of current generative AI (GenAI), particularly as existing datasets often lack critical educational context and models may not adequately account for learner variability.
Penn GSE is participating in this multi-year effort through its Catalyst @ Penn GSE, joining a distinguished group of collaborators. These partners include Learning Data Insights, DrivenData, and the Massive Data Institute at Georgetown University. Together, these entities are tasked with stewarding the program’s outputs, emphasizing learner diversity, robust governance standards, and the responsible integration of AI technologies within K–12 environments.
To ensure broad input and collaboration, the K–12 AI Infrastructure Program is expected to issue a public Request for Information (RFI) later this month. This RFI will invite educators, researchers, and community stakeholders to contribute to shaping the program’s priorities and funding decisions. The grant-making process, including open applications, is scheduled to launch in early 2026.
Penn GSE’s Expanding Leadership in Educational AI
This partnership with Digital Promise is a direct extension of Penn GSE’s strategic and accelerating investment in the field of AI and education. The institution has been proactively building its capacity and offerings in this area. In recent months, Penn GSE has launched an innovative online master’s degree program specifically focused on AI in education, demonstrating its commitment to preparing future leaders for this evolving landscape. Furthermore, the school has expanded its expert faculty by adding two new members specializing in AI, thereby deepening its research and teaching capabilities.
Beyond academic programs, Penn GSE has significantly expanded its professional development initiatives tailored for school systems navigating the complexities of AI adoption. A notable example is the Pioneering AI in School Systems (PASS) program, which receives support from Google. The PASS program, initially piloted with positive feedback in the School District of Philadelphia, provides essential professional development for educators and administrators. Its curriculum addresses crucial aspects such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, equitable access, and ethical considerations for implementing AI responsibly in educational settings.
Thanks to a $1 million grant from Google, the PASS program is undergoing expansion, extending its reach to five school districts or regions across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. This expansion highlights the growing recognition of the need for comprehensive training and guidance in AI integration for schools.
The Broader Context of AI in K–12 Education
The strategic move by Penn GSE and Digital Promise comes at a time when the broader educational sector is grappling with the rapid advancements and challenges of integrating AI. While the potential of AI in K–12 classrooms is widely acknowledged, successful and scalable implementation remains a key area of development. A December analysis by Digital Promise revealed that only a handful of states and localities are currently exploring small-scale pilots to measure the impact of expanding AI tools on student outcomes.
Other initiatives, such as the INVITE AI Institute, are also working to ensure AI serves as a powerful tool to promote fairness within technology-enhanced K–12 STEM learning by creating intelligent learning technologies. The collaborative efforts of institutions like Penn GSE and organizations like Digital Promise are crucial for building the foundational infrastructure necessary to ensure AI tools genuinely enhance learning experiences, empower educators, and ultimately prepare students for a technologically advanced future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the K–12 AI Infrastructure Program?
- The K–12 AI Infrastructure Program is a significant national initiative, spearheaded by Digital Promise, allocating $26 million over four years to develop open artificial intelligence (AI) datasets and models specifically for K–12 education.
- What is Penn GSE’s role in this program?
- The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) is a core partner in the K–12 AI Infrastructure Program, participating through its Catalyst @ Penn GSE.
- What is the main goal of the program?
- The primary objective of the program is to enable developers, school districts, and educators to create AI tools that are firmly rooted in learning science, rather than proprietary or unclear AI systems.
- What kind of outputs will the program generate?
- All funded outputs, including foundational components such as datasets, models, benchmarks, and other digital public goods, are expected to be openly shared, promoting broad access and reuse across the education sector.
- What is the Pioneering AI in School Systems (PASS) program?
- The Pioneering AI in School Systems (PASS) program is a professional development initiative supported by Google, developed by Penn GSE. It provides essential professional development for educators and administrators on data privacy, algorithmic bias, equitable access, and ethical considerations for implementing AI responsibly in educational settings.
- How much funding does the K–12 AI Infrastructure Program have?
- The K–12 AI Infrastructure Program is allocating $26 million over four years.
Key Features of the K–12 AI Infrastructure Program
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Lead Organization | Digital Promise |
| Core Partner | Penn GSE (through Catalyst @ Penn GSE) |
| Total Investment | $26 million |
| Program Duration | Four years |
| Primary Goal | Enable developers, districts, and educators to build safer, more effective, and more equitable AI tools grounded in learning science. |
| Outputs | Openly shared datasets, models, benchmarks, and other digital public goods. |
| Collaborators | Learning Data Insights, DrivenData, and the Massive Data Institute at Georgetown University. |
| Focus Areas | Learner diversity, governance standards, responsible AI use in K–12 settings. |
| Application Process | Public Request for Information (RFI) anticipated later this month; grant applications expected early 2026. |
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