Senate committee substitute to the 3rd edition makes the following changes. Divides the act into parts and makes other organizational changes. Makes conforming changes to act’s titles.

Part I.

Makes the previous content effective October 1, 2026, instead of 2025.

Adds the following new content.

Part II.

Requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to adopt age-appropriate standards for instruction on artificial intelligence (AI) literacy for grades kindergarten through 12, including the five topics described, in GS 115C-81.90. Tasks SBE with reviewing and updating these standards every two years to keep up with advancements in AI. Starting in the 2028-29 school year, requires SBE to revise the standard course of study for computer science for grades kindergarten through 12 to include artificial intelligence literacy in accordance with GS 115C-81.90(a1), as enacted by the act, above. Tasks SBE, in consultation with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to update the lists of approved courses to reflect course alignment with the revised computer science standards, beginning with the 2028-29 school year. Requires DPI to report to the specified NCGA committee on the three specified matters relating to the adoption of revised computer science standards by December 15, 2028.

Part III.

Adds GS 115C-102.13, requiring DPI to adopt a model AI policy to serve as guidance to public school units when developing their AI policies, to include the four described topics by no later than December 31, 2026. Requires local boards of education (GS 115C-47), the Board of Trustees of the NC schools for the deaf and blind (GS 115C-150.12C), charter schools (GS 115C-218.33), regional schools (GS 115C-238.66), and the Chancellor of the UNC Laboratory Schools (GS 116-239.8) to adopt a policy on AI use by students and staff for educational purposes after reviewing DPI’s model policy. Tasks the Superintendent with ensuring that public school units have access to DPI’s model policy by no later than January 15, 2027. Requires public school units to adopt the policies required by no later than June 30, 2027.

Part IV.

Requires DPI to establish and maintain an evaluation framework, as described, that provides criteria and guiding considerations for evaluating generative artificial intelligence-powered educational tools (AI tools) in new GS 115C-102.14. Tasks DPI with reviewing and updating these standards every two years to keep up with changes in technology, evidence, or educational practice. Provides for procurement guidance, qualified vendor lists and other tools to support and incentivize the adoption of AI tools that have been reviewed under the framework. Requires DPI to maintain a publicly available list of all AI tools reviewed under the framework and all AI tools being used in public schools.  

Part V.

Directs DPI to partner with the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University (Friday Institute) to design, produce, and support implementation of a suite of tool-agnostic online training modules and related training resources, addressing the eight described topics. Requires the Friday Institute to produce a suite of self-paced modules that require at least 10 hours of seat time to complete, a facilitator guide, model classroom resources, and “train the trainer” materials. Requires these resources to be made available to public schools by June 30, 2027. Instructs for all teachers employed by local school administrative units, charter schools, or laboratory schools to complete the professional development by June 30, 2028.

Requires DPI to report to the specified NCGA committee on the Friday Institute’s modules, including any recommendations for updates or additional support needed, by December 15, 2028.

Part VI.

Effective when it becomes law, except as otherwise provided.