Congresswoman Valerie P. Foushee has introduced legislation to ensure that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) expand their stake in AI.
According to a press release, Foushee, who is also the co-chair of the House Democratic Commission on AI and the Innovation Economy, introduced the HBCU Artificial Intelligence Research Leadership Act. The legislation would ensure that HBCUs can launch federally funded AI Research Institutes. It would require the National Science Foundation’s National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes program to reserve 10% of research institutes for HBCUs. These research institutes would be operated by an HBCU or would be established in partnership with an HBCU.
“This legislation expands access to cutting-edge research, strengthens the AI workforce pipeline, and creates high-quality jobs and economic opportunity in communities that have too often been left out of major federal investments. By ensuring HBCUs are full partners in our national AI research network, we are building a more equitable innovation economy and ensuring that the talent and excellence at our HBCUs help lead the future of artificial intelligence.”
The legislation received endorsements from the Atlanta University Center Consortium, Inc. (AUCC), the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Payne Research Center, Alabama A&M University, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), and the HBCU Science and Technology (S&T) Council, notes the press release.
Michael Hodge, Ph.D., executive director of the AUCC, commented:
“The AUC Consortium, Inc. (AUCC) is dedicated to advancing collaborative scientific excellence toward the development of conscientious STEM and AI talent. Support from the government will ignite the speed of innovation and implementation needed to maintain the Nation’s competitive edge in AI.”
Per the press release, both the AUCC and the TMCF Payne Research Center issued formal endorsement letters for the legislation. Dr. Daniel K. Wims, president of Alabama A&M University, and Dr. Siobahn Day Grady, founding director of the North Carolina Central University Institute of AI and Emerging Research, expressed their support in the release, speaking from the perspective of HBCU administrators.
