Today, the U.S. Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) providing guidance on using federal grant funds to enhance education through Artificial Intelligence (AI). The guidance outlines how AI can be used in key educational functions and sets principles for its responsible use, ensuring alignment with existing statutory and regulatory requirements.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced a proposed supplemental grantmaking priority focused on advancing AI in education. This proposal is open for a 30-day public comment period as published in the Federal Register. After considering public feedback, the Department will finalize priorities that will influence future discretionary grant competitions.
“Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize education and support improved outcomes for learners,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “It drives personalized learning, sharpens critical thinking, and prepares students with problem-solving skills that are vital for tomorrow’s challenges."
The guidance comes in response to President Trump's April 23 Executive Order aimed at advancing AI education for American youth.
The DCL addresses using grant funds to integrate AI responsibly into educational settings, including high-quality instructional materials and career pathway exploration tools. It also highlights privacy concerns and emphasizes engaging stakeholders like parents in technology adoption decisions.
Secretary McMahon's supplemental priority outlines expanding responsible AI education by integrating AI literacy into teaching practices, expanding computer science education, supporting educator development in AI fundamentals, and personalizing learning through AI technologies.
Public comments on this proposed priority can be submitted via Regulations.gov by August 20, 2025. The Department is also exploring modernizing its operations using AI to support students and families better, focusing on fraud detection and service delivery improvements related to student aid.
