Dear ASA Community,
The Department of Education is proposing a rule for Proposed Priority and Definitions on Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education for which comments are due August 20: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/21/2025-13650/proposed-priority-and-definitions-secretarys-supplemental-priority-and-definitions-on-advancing.
Some of the proposed priority components are these:
(i) Support the integration of AI literacy skills and concepts into teaching and learning practices to improve educational outcomes for students, including how to detect AI generated disinformation or misinformation online;
(ii) Expand offerings of AI and computer science education in K-12 education;
(iii) Expand offerings of AI and computer science courses as part of an institution of higher education's general education and/or core curriculum;
(iv) Embed AI and computer science into an institution of higher education's general preservice or in-service teacher professional development or teacher preparation programs;
(v) Provide professional development for educators on the integration of the fundamentals of AI into their respective subject areas;
(vi) Provide professional development in foundational computer science and AI, preparing educators to effectively teach AI in stand-alone computer science and other relevant courses, including instruction about how to use AI responsibly;
The two definitions put forth are these:
Artificial intelligence (AI) literacy means the technical knowledge, durable skills, and future ready attitudes required to thrive in a world influenced by AI. It enables learners to engage, create with, manage, and design AI, while critically evaluating its benefits, risks, and implications.
Computer science means the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, theories, computational thinking, coding, analytics, applications, machine learning, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
There are no mentions of statistics and two mentions of data:
Exposure to core concepts such as algorithms, data analysis, and computational thinking can deepen their understanding of how AI systems function.
This integration may include, but is not limited to, adaptive learning technologies, virtual teaching assistants, tutoring, and data analytics tools to support student progress.
The definition of AI is the following from US Code, which they don't propose to change:
(3) Artificial intelligence The term "artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations or decisions influencing real or virtual environments. Artificial intelligence systems use machine and human-based inputs to- (A) perceive real and virtual environments; (B) abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner; and (C) use model inference to formulate options for information or action. https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=15-USC-1491829989-625142935&term_occur=999&term_src=title:15:chapter:119:subchapter:I:section:9415
The ASA will be submitting comments on this rule urging it recognize the importance of statistics to AI and therefore of statistical and data literacy to AI literacy. We'd also encourage members to also comments along these lines. Also let us know if you'd like to contribute to the ASA comments.
Thanks,
Steve
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Steve Pierson
Director of Science Policy
American Statistical Association
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