Digital Literacy

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is aiming to guide and encourage expanded artificial intelligence (AI) literacy training across public workforce and education systems. DOL created a new framework to be a resource for AI program design. The framework provides a working definition for AI literacy, a detailed set of foundational content areas of AI literacy, and effective delivery principles for AI education and skill development training.

We've been...well, listening in to the listening sessions held by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding the use of potential Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program non-deployment funds. This week, NTIA held its second session on the subject, which concluded just before the deadline for written input on what to do with non-deployment funding. Between the two sessions, roughly 85 people were able to communicate their non-deployment ideas to NTIA staff.

Researchers at the Universidad Ana G. Méndez, Carolina Campus, Puerto Rico, assessed digital inequities among university students and explored how digital skills education can improve university-level education. The results revealed a low prevalence of barriers to Internet use and access among the sample subjects. Subjects consistently connected to the Internet via their mobile phones, at home, and within the university context. There was a high demand for learning digital applications, such as CapCut and Canva, as well as information about artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

States, territories, and their communities that lack sufficient internet access have been wondering what will happen to the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program's "nondeployment funds"—funds left over after a state meets BEAD’s infrastructure deployment goals.

Thirty years ago, in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Congress reaffirmed a national commitment first articulated in 1934: communications services should be available to all Americans, without discrimination, and at just and reasonable rates. Lawmakers also recognized that universal service could no longer mean just plain old telephone service. In an emerging digital economy, the promise had to extend to what they called “advanced communications,” and we now popularly call internet access and broadband.

We gather at this moment to celebrate some dedicated, talented people, but to also be inspired by them and use that spark to carry on our work, whether home for us in Chicago, Washington (DC), Los Angeles, Minneapolis or anywhere else that justice is under fire. The Digital Equity Champions awards recognize the leadership across the full arc of the movement. They honor the people building what comes next. And people who have spent decades making it possible. 

A new survey of college and university faculty nationwide finds widespread concern and skepticism about how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is affecting their teaching and student performance across academic disciplines. Key findings include:

The rapid acceleration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the education system is creating new opportunities that could transform assessments, personalize learning, and support instruction. It also raises uncertainty and concerns about policies that would impact professional development, access and equity, data privacy, and student safety.

Every unserved or underserved residential and business location in New Mexico now has an enforceable commitment or provisional award to obtain a broadband connection. This milestone was made possible by a patchwork of state and federal funding efforts and program development.

A total of 484 student households in Grant County (NM) are receiving high-speed internet, thanks to a New Mexico Student Connect grant program designed to provide broadband access to rural students across New Mexico. The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) joined TWN Communications, state leaders, and local officials at Silver High School to celebrate the launch of a $1.5 million Student Connect grant project connecting rural students and school staff in Silver City.