Penn GSE Leads $26M Initiative to Build AI Infrastructure for K-12 Schools
The University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) has joined a major new initiative to develop AI infrastructure for K-12 schools. The four-year, $26 million program will fund open datasets, models, and tools designed to make AI safer and more effective in education. Led by Digital Promise, the effort brings together researchers, educators, and technology partners to shape the future of AI in classrooms.
Penn GSE is taking a leading role in the K-12 AI Infrastructure Program, working alongside Catalyst @ Penn GSE, Learning Data Insights, DrivenData, and Georgetown University's Massive Data Institute. The collaboration aims to create shared resources—such as openly available datasets, benchmarks, and digital public goods—that align generative AI with learning science and real classroom needs.
The program expands on Penn GSE's existing work in AI education, which includes a new online master's degree in AI for educators, hiring specialized faculty, and offering professional development for schools adopting AI tools. This latest initiative moves beyond training to focus on the technical foundations needed for responsible AI integration.
A public Request for Information (RFI) is expected later this month, inviting educators, researchers, and community stakeholders to contribute their input. Their feedback will help determine funding priorities and guide the development of AI tools that are equitable, practical, and grounded in educational research. Microsoft is also involved, partnering with local K-12 schools to provide AI literacy training, though specific timelines for the RFI and broader rollout remain undecided.
The four-year program will provide grants to support the creation of AI infrastructure tailored to K-12 education. By involving schools, developers, and researchers, the initiative seeks to ensure that AI tools are built with safety, effectiveness, and equity in mind. The outcome will depend on ongoing collaboration between education communities and technology experts.
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