AB 2487: Artificial intelligence: education and workforce development.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

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.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 7, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2. March 23, 2026Re-referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
3. March 19, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HIGHER ED. Read second time and amended.
4. March 19, 2026Referred to Coms. on HIGHER ED. , E.D., G., & H.I. and P. & C.P.
5. February 21, 2026From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
6. February 20, 2026Read first time. To print.