Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Pielli’s bill to establish Artificial Intelligence Professional Development Grant Program approved by state House Education Committee

Pielli’s bill to establish Artificial Intelligence Professional Development Grant Program approved by state House Education Committee

Rep. Chris Pielli    October 6, 2026 | 11:43 AM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 6 – State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, announced today that his legislation to establish a grant program within the Pennsylvania Department of Education to help schools train educators on how to use AI has been approved by the state House Education Committee with a bipartisan vote of 24-2.

Pielli says that schools can use these grants to support professional development, AI literacy, lesson planning, privacy and cybersecurity training, and developing local AI policies.

“Our schools are struggling as to how they should deal with AI in the classroom. AI can be a beneficial tool in the classroom if incorporated correctly,” Pielli said. “Our children don’t need teachers who can create their lesson plans faster thanks to AI software. 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.

“This bill would give school leaders the resources and flexibility to make the decisions that best suit their school districts on implementing and utilizing AI technologies,” he added.

The bill, H.B. 2788, now goes to the full state House for consideration.