Bill > HB4005

This bill mandates that beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, Arizona public schools must provide instruction on the ethical, moral, and educational uses of artificial intelligence (AI) to students in the third, sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades. AI is defined as a machine-based system capable of making predictions, recommendations, or decisions, including generative systems that create content based on prompts. The curriculum, to be adopted by the Department of Education, will cover basic AI usage techniques, such as writing prompts, ethical considerations for using AI in learning and daily life, and potential threats AI might pose to human health and existence. Schools can offer this instruction as a separate course or integrate it into existing subjects. School districts are required to report annually to the Department of Education on their AI instruction and student enrollment in these courses. The Department of Education may provide resources and grants to assist schools and must select a curriculum developed by a specific type of university-affiliated organization that meets certain criteria related to its establishment, academic freedom, and civic education role. The legislature finds this instruction necessary to prepare students for a society where AI is increasingly prevalent and to ensure they are not left behind globally.