Penn GSE joins $26 million K–12 AI infrastructure program led by Digital Promise
The University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education is a core partner in a four-year effort to fund open AI datasets and models for schools, as pressure grows to align generative AI with learning science and classroom realities.
The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, known as Penn GSE, has joined a new $26 million national program focused on building shared AI infrastructure for K–12 education, led by Digital Promise.
The initiative targets a growing gap between how students learn and how generative AI tools are currently designed and deployed in schools, with funding directed toward openly available datasets, models, benchmarks, and other digital public goods.
Building shared AI foundations for schools
The K–12 AI Infrastructure Program will run for four years and is structured as a grants-based initiative. Its goal is to enable developers, districts, and educators to build AI tools that are safer, more effective, and more equitable by grounding them in learning science rather than proprietary or opaque systems. All funded outputs are expected to be openly shared, removing barriers to access and reuse across the education sector.
Penn GSE is participating through Catalyst @ Penn GSE, alongside collaborators including Learning Data Insights, DrivenData, and the Massive Data Institute at Georgetown University. The partners are responsible for stewarding the program’s outputs, with a focus on learner diversity, governance standards, and responsible AI use in K–12 settings.
John Gamba, Director of Innovative Programs at Catalyst @ Penn GSE, says, “This initiative represents a pivotal moment for education. By investing in infrastructure that supports trustworthy and inclusive AI, we are laying the foundation for tools that truly enhance learning outcomes and empower educators.”
Alignment with Penn GSE’s AI strategy
The partnership builds on Penn GSE’s broader investment in AI and education. In recent months, the school has launched an online master’s degree focused on AI in education, added two faculty members with AI specialisms, and expanded professional development activity for school systems navigating AI adoption.
That includes the Pioneering AI in School Systems program, supported by Google, which works with education leaders on responsible classroom integration. The K–12 AI Infrastructure Program extends that work beyond professional learning into the technical foundations that shape how AI tools are built and evaluated.
The program is expected to open a public Request for Information later this month, inviting educators, researchers, and community stakeholders to help shape priorities and funding decisions. The move signals a shift toward more participatory governance at a time when AI adoption in schools continues to outpace shared standards and evidence.
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.
