U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) announced the bipartisan AI LABS Act on Friday, a proposal to direct federal funding toward artificial intelligence labs and teacher training in K-12 schools. Speaking at George Washington Middle School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Gottheimer also called for limiting classroom cellphone use and expanding broadband in underserved districts - a three-part push that could reshape how schools approach technology spending and curriculum planning.
The legislation, co-led by Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), would require the U.S. Department of Education to create a grant program - or use existing grant channels - to help K-12 schools build dedicated AI labs. These spaces would give students hands-on instruction in using and understanding AI, much like the computer and typing labs that became standard in earlier decades. The Education Department would also study how the resources are distributed and make recommendations for future investment.
Teacher training and critical thinking
Gottheimer emphasized that the bill prioritizes teacher preparation alongside lab equipment. The grants would fund training so educators can help students learn not just how to operate AI tools, but how to evaluate their outputs.
"There is a reason why AI companies are now hiring college students with philosophy and history degrees, not just those with computer science degrees. They want people who can think critically," Gottheimer said. "The trades also want young people who know how to use AI on the shop floor and in building and manufacturing. That means learning how to use AI, how to question it, and how to know when to - and not to - trust it."
He added: "Give our schools the tools. Give our teachers the training. And give our children a real head start, instead of a false choice between banning technology outright and drowning in it."
For educators looking to build these skills now, the AI for Teachers Learning Path offers structured guidance on implementing AI in classroom settings. The broader push for AI for Education reflects a growing recognition that teacher fluency with these tools directly affects student outcomes.
Phone restrictions and the UNPLUGGED Act
Gottheimer used the back-to-school event to urge New Jersey Gov. Mikhey Sherrill and Education Commissioner Lily Laux to maintain support for the state's Phone-Free Schools Grant Program. According to Gottheimer's office, public school districts in Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties - including 11 in the 5th Congressional District - received grants this school year to implement bell-to-bell restrictions on cellphone use.
He also backed the bipartisan UNPLUGGED Act, sponsored by Reps. Eugene Vindman (D-Va.) and Jen Kiggans (R-Va.). That bill would support state and local policies restricting personal electronic devices in classrooms and create an Education Department grant program to help schools buy secure storage boxes and pouches. The proposal includes exceptions for students with medical needs, disabilities, and English learners.
Broadband access and curriculum integration
Gottheimer said he is sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, asking the agencies to prioritize broadband deployment in rural and underserved school districts. The goal is to ensure students can access AI-related educational opportunities regardless of where they live or their school's connectivity level.
He is also calling on New Jersey to dedicate state resources to weaving AI literacy, ethics, and practical skills into K-12 curricula while limiting screen time - a combination that acknowledges both the potential and the risks of increased technology use in schools.
Why this matters for educators
The AI LABS Act signals that federal lawmakers are moving toward dedicated funding streams for AI infrastructure in schools, not just one-time technology purchases. For district leaders and classroom teachers, the legislation - if passed - would create a formal mechanism to fund AI labs and the professional development needed to use them effectively. The parallel push for phone restrictions and broadband expansion suggests that any forthcoming grants will likely come with expectations around balanced technology policies. Tracking this bill's progress through committee gives education professionals a window to plan budgets, evaluate vendor offerings, and identify which teachers would benefit most from early AI training.
Your membership also unlocks:
