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AB-2487 • 2026

Artificial intelligence: education and workforce development.

Artificial intelligence: education and workforce development.

Budget Children Education Energy Labor Small Business Technology
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Ahrens
Last action
2026-04-07
Official status
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's effectiveness is contingent upon legislative funding which has not been confirmed.

Artificial Intelligence Education and Workforce Development

AB-2487 establishes an Artificial Intelligence Education and Workforce Development Act that aims to support community college instructors in using AI responsibly, provide educational resources for small businesses, and develop a skilled workforce for the AI industry.

What This Bill Does

  • Enacts the Artificial Intelligence Education and Workforce Development Act with goals of empowering community college instructors to use AI responsibly and strengthening the state’s AI workforce pipeline.
  • Requires California Community Colleges to develop guidelines on using AI in classrooms and administrative settings, explore partnerships for AI literacy initiatives, support integration of AI into instructor training, and establish a pilot program for AI tool adoption.
  • Directs the Office of Small Business Advocate to create educational resources about AI for small businesses and convene an advisory group to consult on these resources.
  • Supports GO-Biz in establishing local AI training hubs and statewide programs to develop skilled workforces for AI-related sectors.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Community college instructors and students who will receive guidance on using AI responsibly.
  • Small business owners who can access educational resources about AI.
  • Workers seeking to upskill or reskill in the field of artificial intelligence.

Terms To Know

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Technology that allows machines to perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as learning from experience and solving problems.
Upskilling
Improving one's skills or knowledge in a particular area to advance their career.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill requires funding by the Legislature before any actions can be taken.
  • It does not specify how much money will be allocated for these initiatives.
  • Details about the exact content of educational resources and training programs are not provided in the summary.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-07 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  2. 2026-03-23 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.

  3. 2026-03-19 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HIGHER ED. Read second time and amended.

  4. 2026-03-19 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on HIGHER ED. , E.D., G., & H.I. and P. & C.P.

  5. 2026-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

  6. 2026-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2487, as amended,
Macedo
Ahrens.
California Academic Volunteer and Mentor Service Act of 1992.
Artificial intelligence: education and workforce development.
Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as one segment of public postsecondary education in the state. Existing law establishes community college districts throughout the state, and authorizes them to provide instruction at the campuses they operate and maintain. Existing law establishes the California Online Community College, under the administration of the board of governors, for specified purposes, and requires the college to develop a Research and Development Unit to, among other things, focus on using technology, data science, behavioral science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to build out student supports.
This bill would enact the
Artificial Intelligence Education and Workforce Development Act to accomplish specified goals, including, among others, empowering and supporting community college instructors in using and deploying artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly in administrative and classroom settings, and strengthening the state’s AI and technology workforce pipeline by upskilling and educating all workers so they can benefit from AI.
This bill would require the California Community Colleges, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to, among other things, develop and disseminate to community college districts statewide guidance on the use of AI in community colleges, explore, facilitate, and support specified partnerships to develop and implement AI literacy and skills development initiatives, support the integration of AI literacy into the preparation and ongoing professional development of community college instructors, and establish a pilot program encouraging integration and adoption
of AI tools in community college classrooms, as specified. The bill would also require the California Community Colleges, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to submit a report to the Legislature based on findings provided by a working group convened by the California Community Colleges for this purpose that includes, among other things, a summary of barriers to support community college districts in providing and deploying cloud-based AI services into administrative or educational settings in community colleges, as specified.
Existing law establishes the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, also known as “GO-Biz,” to, among other duties, serve the Governor as the lead entity for economic strategy and the marketing of California on issues relating to business development, private sector investment, and economic growth. Existing law establishes the Office of Small Business Advocate within GO-Biz to advocate for causes of small business and to
provide small businesses with the information they need to survive in the marketplace.
This bill would require the Office of Small Business Advocate, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to establish and maintain for small businesses educational resources and modules containing information on specified topics related to AI, as provided. The bill would require the office, within one year following funding, to prepare and submit a progress report to the Legislature and other appropriate state officials and agencies summarizing its efforts in developing and publishing the educational resources and modules. The bill would require the office to convene an AI advisory group, with a prescribed membership, and consult with other state agencies and individuals, as specified, regarding the educational resources and modules.
This bill would require GO-Biz, upon appropriation by the Legislature, and in close partnership with the
California Community Colleges, to support training, reskilling, and upskilling initiatives for workers using AI or supporting the AI industry in order to bolster state economic competitiveness and maximize opportunities for the labor force. The bill would require GO-Biz, on or before January 1, 2029, and every 2 years thereafter, to submit a report to the Legislature and other appropriate state officials and agencies summarizing its efforts on the initiatives.
This bill would also require GO-Biz, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to establish local AI training hubs, including physical or virtual centers that provide education and hands-on training in AI development and application for the purpose of building a skilled local workforce, as provided. The bill would require GO-Biz, upon appropriation by the Legislature and in coordination with other state agencies, to convene a working group to administer a statewide program to develop the skilled workforce to
support infrastructure and energy requirements of the AI industry, as provided. The bill would authorize funding to be awarded through a competitive application process to local workforce development boards and other specified entities to deliver education and hands-on experience in AI data center operations, energy infrastructure, and other sectors, as provided. The bill would also require GO-Biz to undertake other specified duties related to workforce development.
The California Academic Volunteer and Mentor Service Act of 1992 creates the Academic Volunteer and Mentor Service Program, administered by the office of the Governor, in order to provide academic support and guidance to each child who requires it, as provided. The act sets forth the intent of the Legislature that funding for purposes of the act be appropriated in the annual Budget Act, as provided.
This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to the latter provision.

Current Bill Text

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